Jason Aponte - Reflections on American Values - Art Review

    Opening night of the exhibit was a beautiful Saturday evening. The exhibit flyers were enticing: Jason Aponte: Reflections of American Life created curiosity. It was a fun exhibit that makes one wonder where Aponte will take his art next.


     Jason Aponte’s art makes the viewer a voyeur into a semi-private moment. The flow of the art in the Children’s Gallery is organized almost like a story: from a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” to more a more subtle and layered scene. As most visitors move through a gallery from the left to right, the stories in the paintings build in the same manner.  

     The first paintings more of a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” style. Aponte’s paintings are impressions of ordinary moments. There is a man looking out of the painting through a shop window reflecting the street scene in Solitaire. There is a crowd waiting for the next subway train, each person in their own world in The Commute. Aponte’s paintings cannot be dismissed at first glance: time searching his paintings is well rewarded with discoveries of unexpected objects and action. There are people but also cars, street signs, benches, etc. in each painting, each beautifully rendered.

     
     The art hung on left wall of the gallery continues the feel of voyeurism, but now with a disturbing undercurrent of emotion. Aponte wants the viewer to feel uncomfortable as the actions lay bare. For instance Taste of the Good Life is full of innuendo and a sense of humor, but not at first glance. Aponte plays with feelings, as in a little fun here and a little sinister there. If you are in Homestead, Florida, stop by the Children's Gallery for unexpected treat.

        

©Jason Aponte, "Nude Study," oil on canvas, 10 x 8 in.

©Jason Aponte, "Solitaire," oil on canvas, 20 x 16 in.

©Jason Aponte, "Taste of the Good Life," oil on canvas, 24 x 18 in.

Artists Jason Aponte and Carlos Franco.

Just me.

For more information about the Children's Gallery, please visit their website or call 305.224.9386.

For more information about artist Jason Aponte, please visit his website.

Smiles,
Angeline Marie of
Angeline Marie Fine Art

This is a review of the exhibit Jason Aponte - Reflections on American Values that is on exhibit from October 2nd through the 30th, 2010 at the Children's Gallery in Homestead, Florida. The opinions and views of this review belong to Angeline and solely express her opinions. All art is copyright of the artist, Jason Aponte.