EDGE: Peter Demos, Valerie Jaudon, RoberT Swain,

September 13 - November 23, 20024

Among the outstanding art schools in New York City, Hunter College has long been known as a center for developing painters. Faculty members Robert Swain, a philosopher of color, now retired, and Valerie Jaudon, master of the artistic subdivision known as Pattern and Decoration, have contributed substantially to the continued viability of painting in a time in which diversion from traditional standards in the art world has often chosen a “flavor of the day” rather than honor the advancement of traditional definitions. It is fitting that a former Hunter student, Peter Demos, influenced to a degree by both, now joins them in this exhibition.

The show takes its title EDGE from the crisp lines that define the formal aspects of all three artist’s practice. But it also leads other interpretations. Do these artists have the edge over peers in the execution of their work? Does their work border on the edge of painting philosophy and attitude? Is the careful definition of form edgy; does it question how easily a depth of emotional response to painting can come from such solidly defined formats?

Valerie Jaudon and Robert Swain are veterans of exhibitions at the Philip Slein Gallery and we now welcome Peter Demos, whose work fits so nicely with theirs in our gallery.