Friday opening of abstract nautical collages at Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery in Stamford

Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery
96 Bedford St., Stamford, (888) 861-6791
Rex Prescott Walden: To Italy
Feb. 3—Mar. 11, 2012.
Opening Reception: Fri., Feb. 3, 6—9 p.m.

Press release

The Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery is proud to announce a solo exhibition by one of its best-selling contemporary artists, Rex Prescott Walden.

Titled To Italy, the exhibition features a new collection of works by Walden that garner their inspiration from the cascading cliffs, sea-foam shores, and golden cobbled streets of Italy's grandest cities. An opening for the exhibition will be held on Fri., Feb. 3, 2012, from 6—9 pm. The show is on view through Mar. 11.

Just over a year after his last solo show, Mixed Journeys, Walden returns with his trademark found object collage work that takes a minimalist approach to concepts of travel and navigation. Using maps displaying the Italian coast, as well as elements from his own journeys to Lo Stivale, Walden's work evokes not only the beauty of the Italian landscape, but the rich history the nation has with sailing and navigation. Walden's work reinterprets a vision of space and time, and how these elements relate to the contemporary experience.

“Memory provides the depth of the visual experience,” the artist explains. “I see the audience responding to my work in very personal ways. Found objects, painterly brushstrokes, and mapping references (many major Italian cities and ports are represented) all help to spark a variety of reactions to each piece. Each viewer brings his or her own history to the work. This variety of responses helps to keep each collage composition provocative and fresh.”

Walden has traveled extensively throughout Italy, and reinterprets some of his favorite memories on his canvases. In this collection, the viewer becomes voyeur to Walden's intimate relationship with the land: “My wife and I fell in love with Italy when we landed in Florence five years ago. The people, the wine, and the landscape welcomed us as if we were old friends. We try to renew our relationship every autumn.”

Rex Prescott Walden remains one of the Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery's best-selling artists. His work appears in numerous prominent private and corporate collections, including that of Yale University's Smilow Cancer Center.

An opening reception for To Italy will take place on Fri., Feb. 3, from 6—9 p.m. The Gallery will be throwing one of its legendary parties that night, open to the public. Collectors may RSVP to a private viewing on Feb. 2 by contacting Rebecca Hansen at 888-861-6791, ext. 6, or at rhansen@flalvarezgallery.com.