Delight at the New York Design Center

Elisa Contemporary Art presents Delight at the New York Design Center. Our new exhibit features artwork of Hawaii Hyper-realists Peter and Madeline Powell, and Tampa artist, Paula Brett. The exhibit will open on Friday, June 19th and run through August 31.

Delight taps into many of the little things that bring joy into our lives at every age. From candy favorites including jelly beans, licorice and lollipops in every form (Whirly pops to Tootsie pops to crystal rock pops) to gems and flowers and crayons.

The featured artwork are all limited edition pieces and priced under $1,750.

The exhibit is open for viewing at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue, Ground Floor, New York, NY. Hours: Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm.

About the Artists:

Tampa artist, Paula Brett

Tampa artist, Paula Brett has brought together the sumptuous with the sacred in her series of limited edition photographs. She has created series of Mandalas each one carefully envisioned using candy, toys, flowers, and sparkling gems and jewels. Once completed, they are photographed, before being disassembled... like the sand mandalas of the buddhist monks. According to Paula, “The mandala symbolizes the law of the universe and since man is also a microcosm of the universe, many cultures believe that the mandala also symbolizes the human soul. Mandalas serve as collection point for universal forces…My intention with these candalas is to arrange everyday sweets into a pattern which becomes scared, where delicious turns divine, the enticing now exquisite.”

She has exhibited work in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Budapest, Hungary; and Timiosoara, Romania.

Hawaii hyperrealists Peter and Madeline Powell

Hawaii hyperrealists Peter and Madeline Powell are a husband and wife team, who have melded the precision of photorealistic painting with the joys of candy and other delights. As their paintings are viewed, one can almost smell, touch, and taste each delicious piece.

Their medium is acrylic on canvas. Each painting starts with selecting the perfect photograph - selected from over 70 choices. Then, the canvas is stretched and Peter and Madeline are both involved in the process of laying out every element down to the smallest detail -- from the graphite drawings inclusive of every shadow, fold crinkle and letter to the actual painting process, using techniques from airbrushing to fine sable brush painting.

The Powells have exhibited their paintings throughout the US. They are in public and private collections including A&M Records (CA), BMW North America (GA), OPI, and The Slinky Corporation (PA).