(openPR) - Chelsea’s Agora Gallery will feature Russian artist, Maria Mamkaeva, in Elemental Realms. The exhibition is scheduled to run from January 11, 2011 through February 1, 2011 (opening reception: Thursday, January 13, 2011).

With a rich impasto technique, Maria Mamkaeva paints magnificent urban impressions of her native Russia. Buildings, street signs, shoppers, and automobiles are delineated in an approach that allows edges to melt together, creating the sense that the city is indeed one unit. During the infamously severe Russian winter, dusky skies of grey and brown loom over the city, as sharp electric light from shops spills onto the streets. It is often during these times that Mamkaeva will let her mind drift to sunnier exotic locales. In the pieces that result from this train of thought we are treated to palm trees and vibrant sunsets over a warm ocean. Her style of painting thrives on lush textures, and Mamkaeva will frequently mix newspaper or glass into the paint to enrich the surface quality. As her brush flits around the canvas, scratching and building forms, the imagery comes alive, nearly springing forth from the canvas. This is the world through her eyes.

Maria Mamkaeva lives and works in St. Petersburg, Russia. A member of the International Federation of Artists and the Russian Artists Union, her work has been exhibited in Russia, Switzerland and Taiwan.

Exhibition Dates: January 11, 2011 – February 1, 2011
Reception: Thursday, January 13, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11a.m. - 6 p.m.
Event URL: www.agora-gallery.com/ArtistInvite/maria_mamkaeva.aspx

About the Exhibition:
Inspired by the richness of the natural world and the complexities of modern day life, the artists in Elemental Realms give the fullest possible expression to the human delight in exploring the universe and ourselves. Continually pushing the boundaries, these artists are at the forefront of what it means to be creative in our time.

Featured Artists:
John David Hart, LeRoi, Michelle Louise, Maria Mamkaeva, Kiran Sainani, Young Zoo You

Agora Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art galleries district that was established in 1984 and is famous for showcasing a spectacular array of talented artists from around the world and around the corner, while providing quality and original art to collectors. The gallery also publishes ARTisSpectrum Magazine, a bi-annual magazine that is distributed to museums, galleries, art institutions and art schools around the world. It provides artists, collectors, museums, galleries, art organizations and enthusiasts with access to the work of internationally talented artists as well as feature articles, reviews and interviews. Agora Gallery is also the sponsor of ARTmine, one of the most comprehensive resources available worldwide to view and purchase fine art. Most recently, the gallery launched Agora Art Blog, a blog designed to provide helpful information and advice for artists while providing a forum for artists to help one another by sharing their experiences and thoughts.

Agora Gallery
530 West 25th St
Chelsea, NY 10001
212-226-4151