New art works by Alexander Motyl to be exhibited at UIA (03/20/05)

New art works by Alexander Motyl to be exhibited at UIA

NEW YORK - The exhibition "Visible Traces: Still Lifes and Figures" featuring new works by Alexander J. Motyl opens at the Ukrainian Institute of America Gallery, third floor, 2 E. 79th St., with an opening reception on April 1. The exhibition, which will be on view through April 17, is presented by the Tori Collection in association with the Ukrainian Institute of America. Also featured in the exhibit is special guest artist Nonnie Moore.

Tersely styled and quietly rendered, the evolving corpus of Alexander Motyl's work hovers between cityscape, still life, and figures. Inspired by his reverence for the ordinary, Prof. Motyl's most representational work projects the prosaic features of urban architecture. Personalized by the artist through a pictorial and symbolic focus, windows align the artist's gaze with the viewer's emotion.

In his most recent work, Prof. Motyl presents a series of angular, elongated nudes braced against starkly simplified landscapes. Through the meditative beauty of such figures, the artist extends the mood of solitude and introspection of his earlier work.

Born in New York City in 1953, Prof. Motyl studied painting with Leon Goldin at Columbia University and also earned a Ph.D. in political science in 1984. Currently a professor of political science at Rutgers University, he is deputy director of the Center for Global Change and Governance and co-director of the Central and East European Studies Program at the university.

The author of six books and numerous articles, he is widely regarded as an expert on the subject of nationalism in Eastern Europe. Among his latest publications, he is the author of "Dilemmas of Independence: Ukraine After Totalitarianism" (1992) and co-editor of "Russia's Engagement With the West." (2004).

Prof. Motyl's first work of fiction, a novel titled "Whiskey Priest," is scheduled to be out in spring.

Prof. Motyl's group exhibitions in New York City include the Phyllis Lucas Gallery (2000), Salmagundi Club (1997) and the Ukrainian Artists' Association Gallery (1980, 1975).

Solo exhibitions of his work held in New York include "Presence," Ukrainian Insitute of America Gallery (2004); "Vanishing Points," Columbia University, "Metro Art," Ward-Nasse Gallery (1999); and "Habitats," Agora Gallery (1998).

Among the artist's exhibitions with the Tori Collection are the show "After Hours" (2003, Villanova, Pa.) and the exhibitions "Emergence: The Artistry of Color and Perception" held in New York in Ocotber 2001 and in Villanova in November, 2001.

As part of the current exhibition at the UIA, on Saturday, April 9, at 2-4 p.m. there will be a "Meet the Artist Afternoon Tea" co-sponsored by the Harriman Institute at Columbia University, and a cocktail reception on Friday, April 15. For additional information call the UIA, (212) 288-8660, or visit www.toricollection.com.

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