SURGE

PROTECTION

Works by Steve Ellis

Exhibition: May 2 - 31, 2013

In collaboration with

gallery nine5, in collaboration with the New Museum Ideas Festival, is pleased to present a new body of

works by New York artist Steve Ellis. Surge Protection, will be on view from May 2-31, 2013 at 24 Spring St,

New York City.

Surge Protection transforms the gallery into a space for reflection on the future of cities. The New Museum

Ideas Festival focuses on the role of culture in transforming city planning and improving urban landscapes.

Ellis builds on this theme of untapped artistic capital by sounding a warning call. The artist applies his Pop

Realism style to underscore the profound impact of natural elements on infrastructure built long ago, and

offers imaginative solutions to the issues that the global community faces. The works illustrate the ability

of artists to incite reactions and facilitate dialogue by presenting powerful images.

Using some of his characteristic elements like lighters, ripped magazines, and nesting birds, Ellis crafts urban

fables where the city’s landmarks play the central role. In the painting “Monster Storm,” torn magazines

give clues to both the realities of and possible solutions to the storm-surge problem on the East Coast. An

image of the city’s skyline includes futuristic ocean fountains in the distance. Powered by harnessed tidal

and wind energy, they can displace the water of the ocean into the air, lowering the sea level.

“Broken Snow Globe (Sandy 3012)” depicts the fragility of New York City (the artist’s home), and serves as

a poignant reminder of the damage inflicted during one of the worst storms to have hit the metropolis in

the last century. Ellis inserts the Empire State and Chrysler buildings in a snow globe getting pummeled by

a destructive tidal wave. The generous application of paint in the composition of water and shattered glass

embodies the power of the environmental concerns facing future generations. With a hint to the artist’s

trademark humor, a billboard in the city advertises “The Tempest.”

Born in Washington D.C., Ellis was raised in various cities throughout the United States. In 1989, the artist

moved to New York City to study at the prestigious School of Visual Arts. Following his graduation, Ellis

lived and worked in downtown New York, cultivating his aesthetic by immersing himself in the vibrant

subculture of the city’s nightlife.

Ellis has exhibited extensively throughout the U.S. in addition to several international shows. These include

exhibitions at the AC Institute, the Studio @ 620, SoHo House, American Fine Arts, Lexington Armory and

Art Southampton. Ellis’ works are held in private collections in Tokyo, Paris, Rome, Dublin, Seoul, Moscow,

Bucarest, Singapore, Norway, Abu Dhabi, Auckland (New Zealand), Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC,

Miami, New York, Dallas, and Philadelphia. He is currently a painting instructor at the School of Visual

Arts.

Broken Snow Globe (Sandy 3012)Oil on canvas30 x 40 in | 76.2 x 101.6

Stormy EyesColored pencil on paper34 x 48 in | 86 x 122 cm

Monster StormOil on canvas66 x 137 in | 168 x 348 cm

Radar VisionOil on board9 x 12 in | 23 x 30 cm

Weather AnomallyColored pencil on paper17 1/2 x 17 1/2 in | 44.5 x 44.5 cm

New IssueMixed media on paper19 1/2 x 10 in | 49.5 x 25 cm

Floaty CastleOil on canvas8 x 9 in | 20.3 x 23 cm

Storm Warning LighterAcrylic on canvas54 1/8 x 34 in | 138 x 86 cm

Black OutOil on canvas61 x 168 in | 158 x 207 cm

24 spring st. new york, ny, 10012 | 212.965.9995 | info@gallerynine5.com