(openPR) - A pyrotechnic orientation and a keen interest in figuration forge the core of Janice Sobel’s thickly layered acrylic on canvas compositions. Her bold abstractions in scintillating jewel tones follow elemental themes – fire, water, earth and ether. Expanding and contracting across the foreground, her painterly gestures evoke the sweet rhythm of a lilting ballad or glacial spring. Sobel identifies painting as a ‘pure’ source of joy, enabling new ways of seeing and being seen. Inspired by lines of abstract motion, be they elegant or mundane, her paintings capture the contours of plants, industrial landscape and the human body. Absorbing the shape, color, edge and value of organic and inorganic matter in her environment, Sobel’s splendid meditations offer a glimpse into the jubilant pastures of the creative imagination.

Born in the Southeast United States, Janice Sobel has spent most of her adult life in the West. She received her AA in Fine Arts from SMC and a BA from UCLA.

Exhibition Dates: February 10, 2012 – March 1, 2012
Reception: Thursday, February 16, 2012, 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/artistpage/Janice_Sobel.aspx

About the Exhibition:

Infuse the short winter days with energy and warmth by visiting the exhibitions at Agora Gallery this February. The Substance of Abstraction explores the variety and mystery of the world, diving into the essence of form and shape that make up our lived experience of reality. Intriguing, intelligent and full of fascinating detail and insight, these works provide a memorable occasion. The artists in Sensorial Perspectives express their interest and joy in the things they perceive, bringing to their art both their considerable artistic skills and their acute observational abilities in a combination that achieves dazzling results. Elemental Realms is characterized by a vibrant passion which enlivens and inspires those who come into contact with it. Lively and enthralling, these works provide a treat for those who are sensitive to atmosphere and the enormous potential of color.

Featured Artists:

The Substance of Abstraction
Lauren Abshire | Mikael Altersten | Carlos Luis Benavente | Angela Cibos-Reisinger | Jennifer Epprecht | HERMINE | David Jay Juter | Olivia Kapoor | Maryline Lemaitre | Jennifer Pinder | Micheline Raymond | Janice Sobel | Sieglinde Wagner

Sensorial Perspectives
Aurora Ave | LuisaElena Betancourt | Larry Frank | Rachel Hamburger | Nada Herman | Martin Machacek | Jose Ma Martinez | Tammy Phillips |
Rusiko Plaksina | Alessandro Tamponi

Elemental Realms
Patricia Armour | Midori Furuhashi | Ucki Kossdorff | Armande Lebeau |
Kaileigh Osarczuk | Agnès CH Peeters | Juan Jose Prada | Eleni Tsotsorou |
Guido Villa

Interviews with the artists and high resolution images are available upon request.

About Agora Gallery
Agora Gallery is a fine art gallery, established in 1984 and located in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art galleries district. It 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. Gallery II, an elegant adjacent gallery space, gives artists the ideal area for a solo or group exhibition of their own, organized and publicized by Agora Gallery. 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 international 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. The gallery also runs 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 Street, New York, NY 10001
Joyce Asper
info@agora-gallery.com