The original work of two contemporary Italian artists Mirco Pasqualini and TOTO will be on display at Agora Gallery, NYC. The exhibitions open on May 20th and will run until June 9th, 2016. The opening reception will take place Thursday, May 26th, from 6-8 PM. Entrance is free.

Exhibition Dates: May 20, 2016 – June 9, 2016
Reception: Thursday May 26, 2016, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11:00am – 6:00pm
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, Chelsea, New York
Event URL: Mirco Pasqualini - http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Mirco_Pasqualini.aspxTOTO - http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/TOTO.aspx

About Mirco Pasqualini

The work of New York City artist Mirco Pasqualini is transformative in that he takes the chaotic imagery of the city and creates paintings that capitalize on the creative vibes and transcend the cacophony inevitably found in a big urban environment. Heavily influenced by the graphic design world, pop culture, and the work of such artists as Andy Warhol, Pasqualini produces cutting-edge paintings characterized by unconventional palettes and unexpected juxtapositions of texture, line, and form.

For Pasqualini, painting is a meditative means to disconnect from (and survive) the noise of the world that surrounds him. He finds inspiration in unexpected corners of the city that are particularly vibrant, humming with diversity and cultural expression. He describes one such location as such: "Chinatown is one of my favorite places in the city when I am looking for inspiration and ideas, trying to get lost between the typical fish and Chinese tea shops, or in the secret speakeasy hidden in the building where every night jazz and swing bands play alongside burlesque shows."

Born in Italy, Mirco Pasqualini currently lives and works in Manhattan.

About TOTO

TOTO's work as a painter is tied equally to Romanticism and Surrealism as it looks deeply into the possibilities that lie in the use of colors to convey visceral emotions. Using shades of blue and white, TOTO traverses the space between dreams and waking perception. Her project is particularly benefited by her oceanic and atmospheric motifs, which highlight the way her palette obscures the difference between fantasy and reality. In this way, her figurative and sculptural paintings connect stylized realism and ethereal symbolism in a unified manner.

Although her subjects and energy are often highly passionate, TOTO's delicate treatment of her paints provides a soft background for her images. Her oil paints and composition are treated like a camera's lens, complete with soft focus. When combined with her unique palette, the result is a photographic take on surrealistic themes, similar to a sense of languor attached to sepia pictures. TOTO's paintings, despite portraying scenes of adversity, often convey a sense of optimism, with the contrast in light and color providing a sense of transition and a feeling of figures on the verge of overcoming hardship.

TOTO was born in Milazzo, Sicily where she continues to live and work today.