So Long, See You Tomorrow, an exhibition of recent paintings by William Ciccariello, explores all of the genres that comprise the artist’s studio practice. More importantly, and imbedded in the title, this exhibition references the importance of the past, both lived and learned, and our human drive to create order from what is revealed. In his still life paintings, Ciccariello constructs poised moments where history and the objects that populated it find a new and compelling relationship. In his landscapes, trees create the timeless architecture that supports light and potential new growth, assembling order out of nature’s chaos. Ciccariello creates paintings that are both familiar and unknown. We enter an exquisitely painted space that respectfully contains both the past and the present.
Over the past 30 years Bill and I have shared a personal and professional relationship. His paintings have been at the center of our shared interest, but another major connections has been our love of literature. Early in our working relationship, Bill told me that I should read, So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell. Much like Bill’s works, this gem of a book is deceivingly simple and straight forward, yet exquisite in its ability to describe the complexity of seemingly immutable lives and objects. Both Bill and I felt that honoring this book, our relationship, and the beauty and complexity of simple things was an appropriate title for the show.
Please join us for a reception with the artist, June 2nd, 6-8 pm on First Friday. William Ciccariello: So Long, See You Tomorrow will be the opening exhibition in my new space at 460 Harrison Ave, A16.
