Artists Registry

Lucas STOFFEL Opens Eyes, Minds with iConic Work

Downtown New York Pop Artist Opens Award-Winning Exhibit in Chelsea.

New York, NY- 2006 Starving Artist Award winner Lucas STOFFEL will open his award winning project “iCon,” at the Gallery at the Prince George Ballroom on June 18, 2007. “iCon” is the culmination of Stoffel’s year-long project supported by Studio 42’s Starving Artist Award Fund. The project will be displayed for free to the public, along with previous works, at the Gallery at Prince George through August 16, 2007.

“iCon” is a planned visualization of social commentary that explores the iconography of modern American culture through five sets of two panels. Stoffel spotlights the imbalanced overindulgences plaguing American culture with depictions of modern icons placed adjacent to jarring statistical information. The first mixed media panel of each pair features a shadowy version of a common cultural emblem – from the ‘American Idol’ logo to a ‘Freedom to Marry’ sticker – in a style reminiscent of, as Stoffel describes, “a scar on the sidewalk after a nuclear attack.” The second panel explores the cultural impact of these images through facts or quotes.

“iCon” continues Stoffel’s tradition of incorporating popular culture into art and includes panels that comment on current events including voter turnout, the September 11 attacks, and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts (visually depicted with a Louis Vuitton handbag juxtaposed to earnings reported by the company during Katrina’s clean-up process).

“The Gallery at Prince George is the ideal setting for this strong piece of social commentary,” says Stoffel. “The raw and open feel of the space is definitely reflected in the work.”

On Stoffel’s work, Robert Bangiola, Deputy Director for Materials for the Arts, of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, praises, “Stoffel's work represents everything good about Post-9/11 art. In the balance of social and antisocial work on canvas, Stoffel's large canvases remain the most directly intimate, festive and social work in New York today. His brightly colored images of people and familiar structures all convey a warm and welcome composure. In a time when urban society offers a choice between paranoia, caution or conversely a sense of community and sharing, his work opens doors to see our fellow humans in a personal, sweet moments.”

“iCon” is funded by a grant awarded by Studio 42’s Starving Artist Award Fund, a division of The Emerging Artists Fund. As winner of the award, Stoffel has worked together with The Starving Artist Award Fund to develop his proposal and bring his vision to fruition.

“iCon” opens June 18, 2007 and continues through August 16, 2007 at the Gallery at the Prince George Ballroom at 15 East 27th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. An opening reception for the public will be held on June 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m, featuring an open bar and music. The Gallery at the Prince George Ballroom is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free.