"Just Past Happy" at Hionas Gallery - SoHo TriBeCa & FiDi Arts & Culture - Seth Apter

Hionas Gallery is pleased to announce Just Past Happy, an exhibition featuring Chris Wyllie’s paintings on found objects, comprised mostly of new works created in 2011. The paintings, although figurative, evoke the minimalistic feel of a pinup girl silhouette, allowing the eye to rest on a subtle outline or clean curve. Wyllie leaves enough negative space in and around the feminine form so that one’s focus leans toward the texture and traces of the faded object.

Just Past Happy is curated by Vaughn Massey. According to Massey, "Chris is very much connected to the past and to the way things change. The residue. The traces. The beautiful silhouette of a female nude on something discarded and old, remind the viewer that nothing is permanent. 'Everything we do right now is going to fade,' Chris once remarked to me. This, I believe, speaks to the ephemeral quality of life and happiness. The object may alreday be faded, but a new history is created once transformed by Wyllie's hand into something more beautiful."

Just Past Happy opens on Thursday, January 12 and runs through February 11. There will be an opening reception for the artist from 6:30 to 8:30pm on Thursday, January 12.

Hionas Gallery is located at 89 Franklin Street, between Broadway and Church. 212-274-9003. Gallery hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am-2pm and by appointment.