Leo Kesting Gallery Presents:
Jonny Fenix : Swing the Door Wide
June 11 - July 5, 2009
Opening Night Reception: Thursday June 11 from 7:00 - 10:00 pm
812 Washington St (at Gansevoort) NY NY 10014
8th Ave A, C, E and L train Stop or 1,2,3 to 14th St
Tue - Sat from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm Sun & Mon 1- 6pm
Admission is free to the public phone: 917-650-3760 / 917-292-8865
http://www.leokesting.com

Pop color, street culture and sardonic wit are themes in the artworks of west coast artist Jonny Fenix whos latest exhibition entitled "Swing the Door Wide", opens to the public on Thursday, June 11 at the Leo Kesting Gallery. Over a dozen new "uneasy" works give art enthusiasts a visual spectacle.

Fenix's krylon colored palate adorns the new collection as do the drips, collages and cutouts reminiscent of his past work. In Keep Up, mixed media on panel, collage material circa 1945 depict two children looking skyward glimpsing a swallow's profile cut from traffic signs. The backdrop of the work, a muddied mountain view, rains atop a Native American village of tee pees formed from cutouts of Triple A maps.

"Fenix's visual library references the characteristics Americans love while subtly pushing us towards resolution of the negligent hypocrisy we are now becoming aware of." explains gallery director David Kesting. "Earnest change begins at home and then spreads abroad."

In Michael's Jacksons, mixed media on panel, Fenix finds material to cherish in American culture's fixation on pop iconography. Here the viewer is engaged by a contemporary Michael Jackson, cast from Neverland holding his former naked boy self in a Narcissistic Pieta.

Jonny Fenix's work has been displayed in galleries across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Portland. He has received critical acclaim in ArtNet, ArtInfo, NPR, and the Miami New Times. Most recently his exhibition with studio mate Blake Britton was almost shut down due to censorship issues.

Leo Kesting Gallery invites you to join us in unveiling these new un-easy works with a reception for the artist on Thursday, June 11 from 7:00 until 10:00 pm and then running daily until July 5.

Leo Kesting Gallery launched in 2003 and developed an aggressive campaign to introduce new figurative artists to collectors and art supporters. Leo Kesting offers the art viewing public an opportunity to see forthcoming talents in an intimate setting where undiscovered, cutting-edge artists are presented to the contemporary art scene.

Leo Kesting Gallery is located at 812 Washington Street at the corner of Gansevoort in Manhattan's Meat Packing District. A, C, E or L train to 8th Ave and 14th Street or 1, 2, 3 train to 14th Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 7pm.