GR Gallery Presents "Hidden Lights" by Geppy Pisanelli

Searching for the light, Oil on linen, 2022-2023, 14 x 18 inches

GR gallery is proud to announce the opening on February 14th of Hidden Lights, a solo exhibition by Italian visual artist Geppy Pisanelli. Building on the success of his 2023 group exhibition Dreaming Awake at GR gallery, Pisanelli's latest series emerges from both a narrative and compositional need to explore the dynamic interplay between nature and artifice. Specifically, the artist's interest was the visual formalization of works that contrast natural elements (like water beds, trees, mountains, and waterfalls) and artificial elements (such as minimal structures, shelter and artificial lighting). This juxtaposition highlights the relationship between nature and human-made artifice, placing artificial objects in unexpected natural settings.

These compositions trigger a sense of alienation both visually and intellectually, which is also reflected in the exhibition's title Hidden Lights, immediately presenting itself as an oxymoron: light, typically associated with visibility and illumination, is described as hidden, creating a contrast right in the title itself. These pieces generate a layered effect of visibility and obscurity, achieved by the artist through a carefully balanced pictorial composition of shapes, subjects, and content in relation to each other.

Regarding the contents, the theme of interplay between light and darkness was explored by the artist, not just as a retinal perception but also as a reflection of the human inner condition. Indeed, despite the references to nature in these paintings, the works can be interpreted as depicting an intimate state. They portray an external space that simultaneously mirrors an internal one, a space of human existence that is both conceptual and theatrical.

Glowing retreat, Oil on linen, 2024, 45 x 37 x 1.5 inches

These "threshold images", like Pisanelli uses to call them, draw the viewers into a theatrical landscape, exploring human nature and societal conflicts. These narratives, oscillating between abandonment and hope, solitude and community, resonate deeply amid global challenges like pandemics, migrations, wars, and climate change.

"It is in fact emblematic that in my last series of works, the events that come to life depicted in the paintings visually quote the incipit that David H. Lawrence prophetically composed in 1928," says Geppy Pisanelli. Reflecting on our tragic era, he adds, "Lawrence suggested resilience and new beginnings amidst devastation with his words: 'Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The cataclysm has happened, we are among the ruins, we start to build up new little habitats, to have new little hopes.' These words deeply resonate with me, encapsulating the spirit of renewal amidst tumults that I aim to capture in my work."

Luminous Dusk, Oil on linen, 2023-24, 45 x 60 x 1.5 inches

A hallmark of Pisanelli’s artistry lies in his creation of archetypal images. His paintings may initially appear as realistic depictions but gradually unveil layers of metaphorical and mental associations. These works act as conduits for contemplation, inviting viewers to delve into the expressive potential of painting as a medium for analyzing human existence and the multifaceted nature of reality.

Hidden Lights offers an immersive experience that challenges perceptions and inspires reflection. The exhibition will run through March 15, 2025.

Exhibition Details:
“Hidden Lights”
February 14 - March 15, 2025
Opening public reception: February 14
GR gallery
255 Bowery, NYC

Photo of the artist by Maria Elena Pero

Artist Biography

Geppy Pisanelli (b. 1971) is an Italian visual artist who focuses on researching and exploring painting as a communication medium. Starting from his Italian Pictorial Cultural Identity, Pisanelli aims to constantly push and reformulate the boundaries of pictorial narration and formal composition. Through a dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation, he crafts a distinctive visual language that resonates with contemporary audiences. Solo exhibitions in the U.S. include: Chelsea West Gallery, New York, (2010), Kips Gallery, New York, (2011), (2013), Casa Italiana Zerrilli-Marimò at New York University (2015), Mizuma & Kips Gallery (2021). Solo exhibitions in Italy include: Royal Palace of Caserta, Caserta (2010), Galleria studio legale, Naples (2014) PAN Palazzo delle Arti Napoli (2016) Palazzo Ponte dei Pegni, Caserta, (2017). He lives and works between Naples and New York.