FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tower Gallery Presents “HUDDLE”
February 5, 2007, Philadelphia, PA —- “Huddle: Cara Erskine and Norm Paris,” running from February 23 – March 31, 2007, includes large-scale paintings and sculpture based on the artists’ allegorical treatment of sports iconography. The exhibition is the culmination of an ongoing dialogue between the two artists, who were colleagues while attending graduate school at Yale University.
Artist Norm Paris continues his interest in the importance of context in how we attach meaning to individuals and events. The exhibition features sculptural works inspired by Vince Lombardi and body builders, with a group of etchings based on Goya’s Disasters of War depicting sports icon Michael Jordan. Paris highlights how athletes like Jordan become contemporary heroes, while functioning for the most part in the fantasy world of the sports arena. The artist connects this relationship to the art making process itself.
Cara Erskine’s large-scale paintings engage the allusive nature of images associated with athletic victory. Portraits of Billie Jean King juxtaposed with collages of the National Football League expose the ways sports culture shapes our definitions of gender and physicality.
The exhibition opens on Friday, February 23rd with a reception from 6 to 8:30 pm. Acoustics will be provided by sound artists Michael Johnsen and Margaret Cox, and the Paris and Erskine will speak about their work at 7 pm.
Tower Gallery is Philadelphia’s newest gallery of contemporary art, showing the work of both emerging and established artists. Tower Gallery is located in the heart of the East Girard Arts District at 969 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia, PA. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm and Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. For additional information, please contact Tower Gallery at 215.253.9874 or visit www.thetowergallery.com.
