January 1- 7, 2004
artpicks
"With Much Character"
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art
Marking the opening of the 2004 art season and yet another hipster gallery's revival, the former Horton Gallery becomes the Union 237 and welcomes a stellar four-artist exhibit, "With Much Character." Promising to be devoid of the "foo-foo, chic-chic-ness" of First Fridays in Old City, Philly's future-of-the-funk artists, Soul-One, Hannan Saleh, Saga-Moor and Stacy Wilson, beckon with collage, paintings, screened work and photography. Specializing in visual concepts and product design, Soul-One's artistry draws heavily on his graffiti-writing experience and life as a DJ; hip-hop is never far from his art. From silk-screening layers of Plexiglas, wood and cardboard to photography and even the phattest pair of sneakers you've ever seen, it's all Soul. Hannan Saleh's photography embraces nature, using taffeta, branches and oxidized copper to create warm earth-toned backdrops for her vibrant subjects. Part abstract expressionist, part fontographer and letter stylist, Saga-Moor's paintings explore creation theories, religion and life while skillfully filling every square inch of canvas or leaving choice amounts of negative space to achieve a stunning balance. And then there's the multi-talented Stacy Wilson and her stylish paintings, illustrations and graphic design (pictured). A whirlwind of personality and art set to a well-spun soundtrack by DJs Mr. Cisum and Phil E. Blunt await.
"With Much Character," Fri., Jan. 2, 6-10 p.m., free, Union 237 Gallery, 237 Market St.; after-party, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $7, Buffalo Billiards, 118 Chestnut St., 215-627-2377.
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