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The New York International Contemporary Art Society, in partnership with Saphira & Ventura Gallery, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of ‘Contemporary Figurative,’ a groundbreaking group exhibition featuring international and American artists. Curated by Alcinda Saphira, this highly anticipated showcase will debut on March 27th, presenting a diverse and versatile collection of art that promises to captivate audiences.

Dedicated to the exploration of figurative art, the exhibition aims to provide viewers with a unique opportunity to connect with the art on a personal level by representing familiar forms and themes from everyday life. Through a careful selection of artists and artworks, ‘Contemporary Figurative’ offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of shapes, colors, and human experiences within the realm of contemporary art.

At the heart of ‘Contemporary Figurative’ is a commitment to celebrating diversity and cultural exchange through art. The exhibition features a curated selection of works by a group of talented figurative artists, including ANNA BARYSHEVA, CRISTIANE de O. MASCHIETTO, DIG FERREIRA, MARIA T ASON, TONY CIMINO, NING NING, and the spotlight on LIYU WU, known for his distinctive style and perspective. 

FIGURATIVE CONTEMPORARY bringing together artists from different backgrounds and origins, the exhibition promises to engage audiences with a rich tapestry of artistic expressions.

The opening of ‘Figurative Contemporary’ marks a significant moment in the art world, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of contemporary figurative art and the innovative approaches shaping its future. Art enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public are invited to experience this dynamic exhibition, which promises to be a transformative and inspiring event.

About Maria T. Ason 

Maria T. Ason was born in 1967 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Drawing has been her passion since the early age of 7. In 1990, she earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Printmaking and (awarded) Graphic Design at the Art School of the University of Hartford, CT.  Freelanced graphic design and illustration work from 1991 to 1996.

She is a member of the Puerto Rican Women Painters Association, and an active member of the Art House Cooperative aka The Sketchbook Project, Brooklyn, NY.

In 2012, was a member of Arte City Group, a group of local artists that are City of Miami employees. Her artworks have been exhibited in Puerto Rico, Miami, Los Angeles, and NYC. A series of sketchbooks have toured many U.S. Cities via the Art House Cooperative in Brooklyn, NY. 

About Bari Bing

Based in New York and Miami, multi-disciplinary artist, Bari Bing is known for her creative and unique “One of a Kind” jewelry design style, expressing her talent through Modern Art painting. 

Previously creating custom jewels for only private clients, Bari has opened her talent to the painting world. Inspired by the energy and architecture of New York City and Miami, Bari uses mostly prime colors as getting to the basics of expression. Drawing herself onto painting lush paintings, much inspired by modern abstract as can be seen from her large diptychs but also smaller works. 

Bing’s multi-disciplinary career has taken her on several journeys, including winning the DeBeers Diamonds for Men Competition. The artist is based in New York and Miami and has recently been featured in a solo exhibition in Venice in the fall of 2022 as well as Scope Miami Beach.

O evento  é formado por artistas do Coletivo BB, do Espaço BB e da Saphira & Ventura,  expondo seus trabalhos em forma digital no interior da galeria, onde o visitante é convidado a participar da mostra em meio às projeções que terão vida própria e liberdade de encantar a todos.

Nos corredores, os presentes vão passear entre as cores e diversidade de estilos, nas obras expostas, pintadas ou fine art e monotipia, com medidas de grandes proporções. Além da exposição, na abertura haverá muita música, transformando o terceiro piso em uma grande folia artística. “Quando a Arte encontra o Carnaval” é uma exposição itinerante, embarcando para Nova York após o dia 17.02.

As Artes Plásticas e o Carnaval fazem  parte da construção da memória de um povo e são ricos em informações sobre a história, a organização social, além do incentivo à cultura. A diversidade do Carnaval, ao lado dos vários estilos de cada artista, caracteriza as multidões que brincam nas diferentes expressões da folia de cada cidade brasileira e a visão dos artistas internacionais.

While the theme of revival has been a staple throughout the history of art, its strength and amplitude never yields but remains resistant from antiquity to contemporaneity. This theme is explored by eight contemporary artists in the new exhibition by Saphira & Ventura in partnership with the New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS). Curated by Alcinda Saphira.

The exhibition will feature eight contemporary artists, among them Behrouz Bahadoori, known for his landscapes, the artist works with a variety of mediums and explore themes of revival among his evocative passages, Maria Del Page in her lush works revives many influences of the iconic abstract expressionism so recognized in New York’s art history. 

The exhibition will feature New York-based artists such as Jaime Vasquez, acclaimed for his signature works capturing historical and mythical figures while blending them with allegorical modernity. Antonio Oliveira, also based in New York, captures themes of revival with his mixed-media works. Anna Barysheva, proficient in different techniques and styles, will have her floral pieces on display, while Laura Pretto Vargas, a figurative artist, introduces us to profound portraits highlighting a multitude of emotions while the smooth abstract works of Helenara Andrade play with different forms. 

Returning to the city, New York-based artist, Irene van Celestine, a dynamic storyteller with a myriad of influences, will have her works presented, feminine figures which light up the canvas with exuberant actions and motions. The gallery will also showcase a performance art by local artist, Alana Rosa, known for her diverse and dynamic performances.

Curation: Alcinda Saphira 
Production: Liz Carvalho / Albert Valente  
Support: New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS) 
Design: Camila Crivelenti 

In New York’s great history as an art capital, an appreciation for both the figurative and abstract tradition, has gradually cultivated itself as the twin pillars which exemplify the strength of New York. Both influence multi-dimensional artist, Rebecca Stenn whose solo exhibition, Face, is the theme of the upcoming exhibition by Saphira & Ventura Gallery.

Curated by Alcinda Saphira.

While initiating her career as a dancer and choreographer, Rebecca Stenn has lent her grace from the movement of music to the movement of the brush. Inspired by the strokes and textures of rich abstraction paintings, the artist intrinsically links her decades of dance performance to the importance of space and proximity in her pieces. In her new series, Face, the pieces explore what happens when she excludes features, allowing lines, colors and spaces to fill them in for the viewer. In essence, the viewer lays their own story onto the abstract face in front of them. While a variety of techniques are applied to her other works, Stenn also guides her brush to the creation of portraits and faces in other series.

Exploring the passions, sentiments and sensations of a face, the exhibition includes a few pieces which dive into the architectural faces of hills, mountains and rivers. In the description of her process, the artist remarks “I want to paint a face that tells a story, that holds a question, that is lost in thought or reverie.” The exhibition will feature other works in addition to the Face series culminating in her panoramic experience. Stenn’s career too has been wide and innovative, with previous exhibitions being held in cities abounding the globe such as Venice and Milan in Italy, London, Lisbon together with New York and Miami.

An artist capturing the various movements around her, New York artist
Barbara Shelly, has been involved in various modes of expression, such as the fine and performing arts. In keeping with this artistic ethos, the
multi-disciplinary gallery, Saphira & Ventura together with the New York
International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS) announces a solo exhibition followed by a collaborative effort with Alison Cook Beatty Dance, an innovative school specializing in diverse styles and jazz pianist, Simon T. Church. 

In her mixed-media paintings, New York-based artist, Barbara Shelly captures scenes reflecting current events, politics, fashion, the performing arts as well as a variety of contemporary elements.

“My passion for the arts, admiration for leaders, compassion for humanity, and hope for change emerge in my work,” says Shelly, who has been active not only as a painter but also in the broader community of New York artists that includes ballet, fashion, cinema, etc… Her involvement as a board member of Ballet and Beyond NYC speaks to her devotion to the art of ballet, of which she herself practiced. The organization makes rigorous ballet training accessible to all populations, partnering with existing after-school programs and other non-profit organizations that provide services to children outside of their academic day. In truth, her passion for the performing arts has been manifested in her paintings to include subjects such as Spike Lee, Aretha Franklin, Stella Abrera, among others. 

The exhibition will not only feature such iconic pieces by the artist but also a spotlight on her three-dimensional works. Finally, on October 27th during the closing reception, there will be a live performance by the performers of Alison Cook Beatty Dance, a company exploring the universal human condition through expansive and emotionally driven movement. Part of the proceeds of the sales of Barba Shelly’s artworks will be going towards the Alison Cook Beatty Dance. In addition, there will also be a live performance by jazz pianist, Simon T. Church.

Curation: Alcinda Saphira
Production: Liz Carvalho / Albert Valente
Support: New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS)
Design: Camila Crivelenti

In their journey to interpret their vision on the canvas, artists have relied on a profound intuition gradually developing itself in various stages. This leads to a variety of ideas, emotions, and sketches that forms the core synthesis of their thoughts. In its newest exhibition, Intuitive Dialogues, global gallery Saphira Ventura together with the New York International Contemporary Art Society, explore the effects of such dialogues as they manifest themselves on the canvas. 

The upcoming exhibition will feature an assemblage of artists both national and international that make part of the gallery’s versatile approach to its exhibition. From Austria, figurative artist, Elke Schmolzer, enriches her canvas with the anthromorphization of stones, a native element in her local community while photographer Maria Alejandra Ibáñez captures her local rocks via the snap of the camera, together with the various flora and fauna that inhabit the regions of Peru. Regarding the art of painting, a strong saturation and playful form characterizes the work of New York-based artist José Auquilla, as he captures the natural brilliancy of his colors, splashing them gracefully on the canvas. Another New York-based painter, Joanne Handler, creates her subjects with a medley of media, presenting techniques ranging from figurative to abstract expressionism. Moving into three dimensional works, the angular sculptures of artist, Gisseline Amiuny de Ottati blends in the elements of neo-kinetic and op-art in a contemporary framework. Intuitive Dialogues will also feature Rita BasuMallick, another New York-based painter, known for her landscape oil pieces showing gentle details in both a modern and contemporary style.