Among the hidden treasures of the Hudson Valley contemporary arts ecosystem is LABspace, an experimental gallery tucked in the Columbia County town of Hillsdale. Run by artists Julie Torres and Ellen Letcher, LABspace is devoted to presenting the work of regional artists as well those living outside the Hudson Valley. On March 11, two concurrent exhibitions will open in the enchanting two-room gallery, continuing through April 30.
Gallery One will feature "Body High," a group show of painters who address the euphoric and excruciating aspects of the human form. With works by Pauline Decarmo (Hudson), Lois Dickson (Chatham), Jacob Fossum (Berkshires, MA), Zohar Lazar (Great Barrington, MA), Rebecca Litt (Brooklyn), Kelsey Renko (Troy), Julia Schwartz (El Cerrito, CA), Olivia Tawzer (Chattanooga, TN), and Michael Van Winkle (Round Lake), "Body High," expresses the emotional dynamic realities of three years of pandemic life through paintings that deconstruct and reimagine corporeal complexities, queerness, beauty, grief, and redemption.
Gallery Two space will showcase a decade of elegant oil paintings by Dee Shapiro, whose works created between 2000 and 2010 offer poetic visions of architectural solitude as seen in locations around upstate New York as well as Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Reflecting a geometry of place and the saturated distinction of city color, Shapiro is a master of her generation. Now in her 80s and still painting at her studio in Connecticut, Shapiro’s art captures the existential grace and quiet grandeur of our stoic New York region.
An opening reception for both shows will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 1-5pm. A closing reception will be held on Sunday, April 30 from 1-5pm.