Young Art presents The Garden of Cyrus,

an exhibit of works by artist Stephen Aldahl.

The exhibition consists of Aldahl’s sculptures, paintings and works on paper. Aldahl’s sculptures are created in the traditional methods of assemblage. His materials range from simple objects like bottles or cans, to more complex forms, such as dried fig leaves and folded fabric. In the work “Untitled (Boat No. 2, Closed)”, a white-coated bamboo husk sits elegantly on top of an small, upside-down baking tin. The natural inward curl of the husk’s edges resemble the curved sides of a canoe, contrasting perfectly with the outward plateau shape of the tin. The largest sculpture “Untitled (Cylinder)”, is a tall cylinder mounted on top of a brick and surrounded by four small rocks at each corner. Fabric has been draped over the seam where the cylinder and brick meet. Veils of paint conceal where elements begin or end and the arrangement of objects posture something like an ancient monument. Aldahl’s sculptures are intuitive compositions. His paintings reflect the same visceral approach. In “The Garden of Cyrus”, a vague yet mysterious landscape is gestured across the large canvas. The full strokes and layers of dripped paint create dynamic movement and texture. A heavy mist cloaks the figures and colors, while the most haunting part is a striking white arch along the right that frames the stage and draws the viewer inside. Like “Untitled (Cylinder)”; the sculpture resembling a sacred structure, the arch in “The Garden of Cyrus” seems to be a fragment of a distant time and place. The continuity between Aldahl’s work is intriguing and beautiful. His poetic assemblage and gestural horizons reveal a strong relationship between his sculpture and paintings. This will be Stephen Aldahl’s third solo exhibition with Young Art.

The opening reception will be held Saturday, May 16 2009 from 7-10 pm and will be on view through May 23 2009 by appointment.