Manuel Neri 25 Year Retrospective @ the ICA

October 22, 5:46 PMSF Art ExaminerMarisa Nakasone

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF Art Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Manuel Neri, Arcos de Geso. Image: ICA

I'm so excited for this show--Manuel Neri: The Figure in Relief @ the ICA! Manuel Neri is one of the leaders in the bay area figurative movement, working in good company among the likes of Richard Diebenkorn, David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Frank Lobdell, and the dessert meister, Wayne Thiebaud.  Neri was also once married to Joan Brown, another prominent member of the bay area figurative school and who happens to be one of my favorite artists. Furthermore, Neri's daughter Ruby, who works under the name "reminisce," was one of the major artists to emerge out of the mission school of urban art. One of the few artists of this legendary generation still alive, Manuel Neri is a living treasure--in November, the SF MOMA will honor Manuel Neri with the Bay Area Treasure Award (award luncheon tickets are $75 and available here).  There's never been a better time to check out this exhibition of work from Neri's seasoned career at the Institute of Contemporary Art in San Jose (which is hosting the ONLY exhibition of Neri's 25 year retrospective in the state of California).

While most artists in the bay area school work in painting, Neri works predominantly in a sculptural medium.  However, one could argue that the work of the bay area figurative artists blur the division between painting and sculpture, layering the paint on so thickly that the painting adopts a distinct texture that can be considered sculptural.  Neri's organic, intuitive, and expressive articulation of the human form is reciprocally painterly in approach.
The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 7th.  The best part: MANUEL NERI WILL BE THERE!!!  Along with his muse and model, Mary Julia Klimenko.  To sum up, I adopt a hackneyed advertising cliche: reception...free. Seeing Manuel Neri in person...PRICELESS.

Can't make it to the reception, but want to learn more?  Join the ICA for their Talking Art session on November 13th.  The discussion focuses on Neri's influence as a teacher and artist in the works of Robery Brady, Christopher Brown and Fred Snyder. 

FYI:  There is a Manuel Neri piece in the ICA's auction this weekend (Saturday October 25, 2008) !  Tickets are $40 members, $32 general. Doors open @ 6, bidding starts promptly @ 7.