Being an artist is all about vulnerability. Some artists are pretty afraid of this, creating a product that feels very closed-off and protected from the prying eyes of their viewers. Becky Franco is not one of these artists.

Her large realist works on canvas are now on view through May 18th at SOHO20 Gallery in Chelsea.

Franco puts herself right out there, finding a connection with the viewer by exposing them to the most intimate moments of her own life. Her work displays the most intimate corners of her domestic life, chandeliers, mirrors, tables, and chairs all peer back towards the viewer. Titled Chosen, the show posits the idea that these objects are actually the ones that chose us, and not the other way around. They make one reflect on who they are as we contemplate our relationship to these objects that are common signifiers of a certain level of comfort and affluence.

To read more: http://www.nyartsmagazine.com/?p=10121

http://jewishcurrents.org/poets-and-poetry-lovers-gathered-april-30-to-explore-the-american-dream-17180

Featuring work by Elizabeth Bisbing, Theresa Byrnes, Martine Fougeron and Ann Hirsch

“ABC No Rio in Exile” at BULLET SPACE
292 East Third Street (between Ave C + D), New York

OPENING: Friday, April 19, 7 – 9pm
8pm: Theresa Byrnes performs CLOTHED

Curated by Monika Hardmeier

Exhibition supported in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

http://www.punk-tum.com/exhibition-its-about-you-me-bullet-space-new-york/

ElizabethBisbing, Her in Hero cards, Amelia Earhart, gouache, mylar, paper, series of 9, 6 x 4 inches each © Elizabeth Bisbing

Elizabeth Bisbing
creates subtle collages with hand-painted paper that radiate intimacy and an intriguing, narrative charm. Her character Little Betty Jane goes through adventurous episodes that are both witty and disturbing. The visual tales are based on reflections on contemporary culture, catholic iconography, art historical backdrops and intimate memories. In the stories told, the simple magic of the small paper worlds collide with real fears and internalized traumas. Those are hidden behind the stoic puppet face and attitude of Little Betty Jane battling concrete monsters representing the abstract problems she must face.
Nevertheless, Bisbings’ work presents a humorous and cheeky character and her female hero is always facing her fears. In two of the artist’s series Fantasy Cards and Her in Hero – based on a Victorian card game – the faces of burlesque figures and of female idols are cut out. Through this act of depersonalization the figures become offerings for a role-play and for empowering shifts in identity.

Credit images: Robin Stancliff

Saturday January 12th, 2-4pm

Led by Suzanne Stroebe

Join SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery and Suzanne Stroebe for SIGHT unSEEN, an ongoing series of gallery tours through the Chelsea arts district of New York City. SIGHT unSEEN encourages the examination and discussion of art by women and hopes to share with the public the myriad of provocative, inquisitive, and engaging works by women artists.

Guests will meet at 2pm at Asya Geisberg Gallery, and the tour will culminate at SOHO20 Chelsea at 4pm for a reception with light refreshments and a brief talk by SOHO20 artists from the current group exhibition, Selection.

Led by Suzanne Stroebe, artist and fellowship member of SOHO20 Gallery.

A suggested donation of $10 is requested, however no one will be turned away.

“Cheeky” by Annie Attridge at Asya Geisberg Gallery

To RSVP and receive a complete list of galleries and addresses please email the gallery at info@soho20gallery.com or call 212.367.8994
SOHO20 Chelsea is a 501 (c) 3 organization that has been promoting the work of women artists through exhibitions and public events since 1973.