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Pen and Brush Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, “NOW: As a Consequence of Fact,” is the third installment in its ongoing “Now” series. The show, which will run from October 12th to December 9th, spotlights the work of multimedia artist Jill Viney.

Pen + Brush Art Gallery, a nonprofit organization with a rich history spanning 129 years, has continuously championed women and non-binary artists and writers. This mission lies at the heart of their commitment to challenging the systemic issues of gender-based exclusion, underrecognition, and undervaluation that persist in the art market. They are dedicated to providing a vital platform for these underrepresented groups to reach a wider audience. Furthermore, the organization goes beyond mere exhibition support, extending mentorship and guidance to emerging professionals in the arts.

One unique aspect of Pen and Brush’s mission is their approach to art sales. All artworks featured in their exhibitions are available for purchase, with 75% of the sales proceeds going directly to the artist. This not only offers artists an avenue for financial support but also reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring artists are fairly compensated for their work. The remaining 25% of the proceeds is channeled back into supporting Pen and Brush’s mission and future endeavors.

The “NOW: As a Consequence of Fact” exhibition is expertly curated by Parker Daley Garcia,  with Bird Piccininni as the associate curator, a name that resonates within the art world for her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices. Bird Piccininni serves as the associate curator, further prioritizing their commitment to diverse and inclusive curation.

The Pen and Brush Art Gallery, located at 29 E 22nd St, New York, NY 10010, stands as a physical embodiment of the organization’s dedication to empowering underrepresented artists and challenging the status quo in the art world. 

Jill Viney, a featured artist in the “NOW: As a Consequence of Fact” exhibition, is a highly accomplished and versatile artist with a remarkable educational background. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and holds a Fine Arts MFA from Columbia University, two prestigious institutions known for nurturing artistic talent. Her artistic journey spans decades and has seen her experiment with various mediums and styles, from color field and abstract expressionism inspired by her professor Meyer Schapiro in the 1970s to her exploration of plastic and fiberglass sculptures and later, her venture into 3D wall sculptures in the early 2000s.

Viney’s work, which defies easy categorization, continues to challenge preconceived notions and redefine contemporary art. This evolution in her artistic career mirrors the ongoing evolution in the world of art, making her a fitting choice for an exhibition that celebrates the ever-changing landscape of contemporary art.

As “NOW: As a Consequence of Fact” opens its doors, it offers art enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in Jill Viney’s eclectic and thought-provoking portfolio. Her large-scale paintings delve into the intricacies of color theory, while her wall-mounted sculptures employ plastic and fiberglass to create polymorphic collaged assemblages. She also ventures into life-sized sculptures, which reflect the depth of her artistic vision and her exploration of the intersection between domestic life and creative pursuits. The immersive “environments” she creates add another layer to her artistic expression, revealing the tensions and synergies between her daily life and creative process.

Viney’s inclusion in the “NOW” exhibition is not only a testament to her artistic prowess but also an acknowledgment of her role in challenging the conventional ideas of “the now.” Her works from the 1970s and ’80s, which question the concept of “newness” in the contemporary art scene, take on a new relevance as marginalized voices gain recognition in the art world. This aligns perfectly with Pen and Brush’s commitment to amplifying silenced voices and breaking down established system boundaries.

The exhibition promises to be an engaging exploration of contemporary art, where time becomes a key element, defying rigid timelines and market trends. It is a dialogue between past and present, offering fresh perspectives and underlining the fact that art, when seen and appreciated, truly comes alive. Jill Viney’s artworks, spanning four decades of her career, including “Woman Vacuum,” “Dream,” and “Cathedral,” serve as compelling focal points in this dynamic conversation, reflecting the artist’s unique journey and the broader narrative of contemporary art.