The original work of two innovative and talented Italian artists Charley Fazio and Paolo Canciani will be on display at Agora Gallery, NYC. The exhibitions open April 26th, 2016 and runs through May 17th, 2016. The opening reception will be held Thursday, April 28th from 6-8 pm. Entrance is free.

Exhibition Dates: April 26, 2016 – May 17, 2016
Reception: Thursday April 28, 2016, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11:00am – 6:00pm
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, Chelsea, New York
Charley Fazio - http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Charley_Fazio.aspx; Paolo Canciani - http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Paolo_Canciani.aspx

About Charley Fazio

A native son of Sicily, Charley Fazio began his artistic journey as a painter. He describes his early work as consisting of "almost metaphysically lonely elements in open spaces filled with color." Fazio's eventual career as a geologist left him little time to paint, but the spectacular vistas of the natural world spoke deeply to him, and Fazio began photographing the volcanoes, islands, and sea that surrounded him. At first, he sought out the same isolated scenes he'd painted in the past, but in due course Fazio found himself moving to the theatre, to the streets, and to people. He eventually replaced melancholy with vibrancy, and his world was changed.

Fazio believes that the intrinsic value of photography is in its ability to make the viewer and the artist one. The gift of photography is the gift of vision: for a moment, the viewer is able to see through the artist's eyes. This realization, for Fazio, was an illumination. "My life path has taken an exponential leap thanks to the light of my photographs," he says. "I will die with my camera in my hands."

About Paolo Canciani

Inspired by the Greco-Roman art of his native Italy, Paolo Canciani is a classical modernist who paints ancient sculpture as if it was human and humans as if they were classical sculpture. Possessing the light, flawless, and impeccable appearance of marble, his figures are juxtaposed against contemporary accoutrements like bandanas. "I am inspired by... a certain image of Greek-Roman statues enhancing the parts of the body and face thanks to a continuous close-up," the artists says. Architectural details may also be included, although usually Canciani situates his figures simply, against a neutral background or dreamy sky. Canciani then crops and fragments the sculptures, giving them a surrealist mien that recalls the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico. Canciani's statues appear strangely alive even as they seem frozen in time, inhabited by a sense of pathos that leaves the viewer unsure if these figures are gods or artifacts from past millennia. One could say Canciani's paintings are infused with a gentle irony, a kind of old-is-new-again circularity that makes his statues feel less like relics and more like nostalgic pop culture icons. This ambiguity allows Canciani to create paintings that, despite their classical subject matter, have a very modern sensibility. He also frequently employs symbolism in his work. The butterfly, for example, is a typical leitmotif the artist employs to symbolize longing and desire. The rose is another one of his favorite symbols, a metaphor for love.

In addition to painting, Canciani is a designer and interior-designer. He says he is fond of archaeology and "absolute beauty." His works are included in various public and private collections in Italy and abroad, where they've garnered critical acclaim and earned numerous awards and prizes. Canciani currently divides his time between Milan and Monte Carlo.

About Agora Gallery

Agora Gallery is a contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of Chelsea's fine art district in New York. Established in 1984, Agora Gallery specializes in connecting art dealers and collectors with national and international artists. The art gallery's expert consultants are available to assist corporate and private clients in procuring original artwork to meet their organization's specific needs and budget requirements. With a strong online presence and popular online gallery, ARTmine, coupled with the spacious and elegant physical gallery space, the work of our talented artists, who work in diverse media and styles, can receive the attention it deserves. Over the years Agora Gallery has sponsored and catered to special events aimed at fostering social awareness and promoting the use of art to help those in need.