John Nativio

Solo Exhibition

March 18th, 2016 – May 14th, 2016
John Nativio’s current body of work explores the influence of technology on human perception and evolution.  Accelerated dissemination of information has greatly altered human civilization; from the printing press to the first radio telegraph signals bounced off the ionosphere; from television to satellites; from the internet to artificial intelligence; from genetic manipulation to cybernetic implants—and beyond.

Nativio’s dynamic sense of composition, combined with his unique color palette, gracefully lead the viewer into other realms. The surrealist imagery that makes up this series strikes a balance between still-life and landscape. The looming foreground elements are entirely without context and alien in appearance, forcing the viewer to ponder their form, scale and purpose.  Are these subatomic particles, or are they colossal megastructures?  Are they instruments for broadcasting and receiving information, or are they monuments to a future civilization?

At first, the imposing, mysterious objects seem to be technological abstractions.  What initially seem like inanimate machine parts, slowly become more engaging, and as we view the compositions, we realize that they peer back—transforming into something more organic, more anthropomorphized.  Each aperture and corresponding moon begin to emerge as the eye of a figure, with surrounding orbital sockets and bone structures—giving life to each piece, and a sense of live intelligence.

The dreamlike backgrounds set the stage for the drama that unfolds within each piece, and act as another unifying feature to the series.  Extremely well crafted and thoughtfully designed, each piece vibrates with its own energy.  Each frequency is independent, yet synchronized with the series as a whole.  This new harmonic resonance carries us with it, lifting us into new dimensions of color, shape, form and concept, masterfully painted by Nativio.

Events

John Nativio: Solo Exhibition: March 18  – May 14, 2016

Troy Gua: Solo Exhibition: May 20  – July 9, 2016

Cinema 07: An Exhibition of Cinema Inspired Art: September 16 – November 12, 2016

 

 

Kenneth Paul Lesko Gallery

1305 West 80th Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44102

kennethpaullesko.com