Show Preview | Maxwell Alexander Gallery: Anniversary Show

Culver City, CA
December 14-January 25

Bill Schenck, Ride off on the Mesa, oil, 30 x 36.

This story was featured in the December 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art December 2013 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

Maxwell Alexander Gallery celebrates its first anniversary this month with a show featuring 20 new paintings by artists the gallery has worked with in the past, as well as a several other new artists the gallery will show in coming years. A reception for the artists takes place on December 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Looking back to a year ago, gallery owner and director Beau Alexander recalls that people thought he was somewhat “crazy” to open a gallery in a shaky economy. But he was undaunted. “We knew collectors would react in a positive way when we showed them quality over quantity,” Alexander says.

The gallery’s successful year has proved him right as he has introduced what he calls “a new breed of fine art” to the Los Angeles area. “We don’t have a roster of 100 artists with endless deadlines,” Alexander says. “We have less than 20 artists on our roster, and each one is as respected as the next. Our artists are our top priority. We never dictate to or pressure the artists, rather we ask them to send what they think is their best work—what represents their vision the best.”

Logan Maxwell Hagege, Growing Clouds, oil, 24 x 16.

This month’s show highlights the gallery’s focus on both modern western and traditional figurative art with a presentation that includes paintings by Jeremy Lipking, Glenn Dean, Tim Solliday, Bill Schenck, Duke Beardsley, Vincent Xeus, Kim Cogan, Joseph Todorovitch, Jeremy Mann, and Logan Maxwell Hagege. In GROWING CLOUDS by Hagege, the artist says he wanted to push the limits of abstracted elements in the sky and landscape against the more realistic depiction of the portrait in the foreground. In the past he thought that a painting had to be either realistic or abstract. But these days he freely works in styles that are best for each section. “The angular afternoon clouds set against the portrait in the foreground allows the viewers to use their imaginations,” Hagege says.

Meanwhile, Alexander is enthusiastic about the show. “Our goal was to have tightly curated shows with the highest quality, and I think we’ve been extremely successful at keeping this vision alive. I’m excited for our clients to see what we have planned for the coming year,” he says. —Bonnie Gangelhoff

contact information
310.839.9242
www.maxwellalexandergallery.com

Featured in the December 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art December 2013 print issue or digital download
Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!