Gregory Con, Alex Racine: "Gravity & Grace" January - February 2023

Happy New Year! Woodward Gallery springs into 2023 with a two-person, dynamic, three-dimensional exhibition by Sculptors, Gregory Corn and Alex Racine. The human condition is modeled in metal, ceramic, and gravity. Corn’s three “dancers” spin in juxtaposition to their heavy medium and weightlessness. Racine’s expressive hands offer graceful gestures and cultural commentary.

Alex Racine’s ceramic sculptures employ the power of words and palmistry. The human palm has lines in it that represent language, so the artist naturally thought to sculpt words. The openings in his elegant hands encourage the viewer to also explore the inside, consider how hands articulate, and how we may interpret character from the lines and configurations of the palm of a person’s hand. Walkie-Talkie and Basic Instinct are after the human body. The fingers become a blend of leg and arm anatomy. Crossed fingers in Basic Instinct conjure the iconic cultural moment in the 1992 film of the same title.

For Racine, his Dog is reminiscent of youthful shadow puppets. Conversely, God is the mischievous, fun relationship with the shadow puppet and his play on its letters. Love is the hand gesture for sign language. Kindness is two hands joined creating one heart— especially relevant at this time when more kindness is needed. Incorporating a sixth finger as an optical illusion, Racine nods to early Warhol drawings, saying, “When I close my eyes, I feel like I have a 6th finger. I like that the sculpture becomes something and does something…it is like a third eye.”

Gregory Corn’s sculptures utilize metal, stone, and wire to harness the delicate balance between highly-dense materials and gravity. Tall, sturdy, steel structures are held together, masterfully, by smaller pieces. Heavy objects dangle from wires and gently sway. When knocked on, each piece also “sings” differently, as Corn describes. Corn’s three sister pieces, Yellow Dancer, Orange Dancer, and Red Dancer exemplify human behavior, symbolizing the complex inner mechanisms of bodies, minds, and spirits. Like real dancers, each of the three sculptures are physically sound —strong— and yet, incredibly graceful. The fourth piece, Marionette, resembles a puppet. A heavy mountain-shaped stone is held off the ground by a complex array of cable wires, latches, and steel bars. Large, red-detailed, rectangular beams act like bones for the larger sculpture. This balance, Gregory Corn explains, represents humanity, as, in his own words: “The weight we carry holds us together.”

From January through February 2023, this exhibition will be presented at Woodward Gallery in our street-level windows 24/7, by private appointment, and as an online exhibition and Viewing Room on Artsy.net.

Gregory Corn

Orange Dancer- 2022

Steel, wire, gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base.

35 x 6 x 9 inches; 88.9 x 15.24 x 22.86 cm

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Gregory Corn

Red Dancer- 2022

Steel, wire, gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base.

39 x 6 x 6 inches; 99.06 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Gregory Corn

Yellow Dancer - 2022

Steel, wire, gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base.

35 x 6 x 6 inches; 88.9 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Before the Sculpt

Components of the Dancers were hand-sketched, computer drawn, then cut on a Waterjet. Corn assembled the frame bones, welded and ground/ sanded the welds. He clothed the frames in steel plates and wire engineered various strategies to redirect the unseen energy of mass, inertia and gravity.

Steel, cable, granite, and gravity with enamel and lacquer paint on a natural patina base. 63 x 12 x 12 inches; 160 x 30.48 x 30.48cm

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Gregory Corn Marionette - 2022

Gregory Corn, Marionette (detailed views), left, top view; upper right, center joint; bottom right, granite stone.

Alex racine

Alex Racine’s ceramic sculptures employ the power of words and palmistry. The human palm has lines in it that represent language, so the artist naturally thought to sculpt words. The openings in his elegant hands encourage the viewer to also explore the inside, consider how hands articulate, and how we may interpret character from the lines and configurations of the palm of a person’s hand. Walkie-Talkie and Basic Instinct are after the human body. The fingers become a blend of leg and hand anatomy. Crossed fingers in Basic Instinct conjure the iconic cultural moment in the 1992 film of the same title.

For Racine, his Dog is reminiscent of youthful shadow puppets. Conversely, God is the mischievous, fun relationship with the shadow puppet and his play on its letters. Love is the hand gesture for sign language. Kindness is two hands joined creating one heart— especially relevant at this time when more kindness is needed. Incorporating a sixth finger as an optical illusion, Racine nods to early Warhol drawings, saying, “When I close my eyes, I feel like I have a 6th finger. I like that the sculpture becomes something and does something…it is like a third eye.”

Alex Racine

Dog, 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating 9 x 12 x 4 inches; 22.86 x 30.48 x 10.16 cm

Signed on verso

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Alex Racine

Love, 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating

11.75 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches;

29.85 x 24.13 x 8.89 cm

Signed on verso

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Alex Racine

God 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating

7.75 x 12 x 5 inches;

19.69 x 30.48 x 12.7 cm

Signed on verso

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Alex Racine

Walkie Talkie, 2023

Cast white brass 6.75 x 5.25 x 2.7 inches; 17.15 x 13.34 x 6.89 cm

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Alex Racine, Walkie Talkie, 2023 Cast white brass, 6.75 x 5.25 x 2.7 inches; 17.15 x 13.34 x 6.89 cm

Alex Racine

Basic Instinct, 2023

Cast white brass

5.75 x 5 x 4.5 inches; 14.60 x 12.7 x 11.43 cm

Signed on bottom

To Inquire About this Artist, contact us at: Art@woodwardgallery.net

Alex Racine, Basic Instinct, 2023 Cast white brass, 5.75 x 5 x 4.5 inches, 14.60 x 12.7 x 11.43 cm Signed on bottom

Alex Racine, Basic Instinct, 2023 Cast white brass, 5.75 x 5 x 4.5 inches, 14.60 x 12.7 x 11.43 cm Signed on bottom

Alex Racine, Kindness (detail from below), 2023, Cast white brass, 5.5 x 6.5 x 4.75 inches; 13.97 x 16.25 x 12.07 cm

Alex Racine, Kindness, 2023, Cast white brass, 5.5 x 6.5 x 4.75 inches; 13.97 x 16.25 x 12.07 cm

Copyright. © 2023 Woodward Gallery

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any matter without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a review or educational publication.

To request permissions, contact the publisher at Art@woodwardgallery.net

Exhibition List

GREGORY CORN

Gregory Corn

Marionette, 2022

Steel, cable, granite, and gravity with enamel and lacquer paint on a natural patina base.

63 x 12 x 12 inches; 160 x 30.48 x 30.48 cm

Gregory Corn

Red Dancer, 2022

Steel, cable, granite, and gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base .

39 x 6 x 6 inches; 99.06 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm

Gregory Corn

Yellow Dancer, 2022

Steel, cable, granite, and gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base .

35 x 6 x 6 inches; 88.09 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm

Gregory Corn

Orange Dancer, 2022

Steel, cable, granite, and gravity with enamel and lacquer on a rotating base .

39 x 6 x 6 inches; 99.06 x 15.24 x 22.86 cm

ALEX RACINE

Alex Racine

Basic Instinct, 2023

Cast white brass

5.75 x 5 x 4.5 inches;

14.60 x 12.7 x 11.43 cm

Signed on bottom

Alex Racine

Walkie Talkie, 2023

Cast white brass

6.75 x 5.25 x 2.75 inches;

17.15 x 13.34 x 6.89 cm

Alex Racine

God, 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating

7.75 x 12 x 5 inches;

19.69 x 30.48 x 2.7 cm

Signed on verso

Alex Racine

Kindness, 2023

Cast white brass

5.5 x 6.5 x 4.75 inches;

13.97 x 16.25 x 12.07 cm

Signed on bottom

Alex Racine

Love, 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating

11.75 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches;

29.85 x 24.13 x 8.89 cm

Alex Racine

Dog, 2023

Ceramic with acrylic and metal paint coating

9 x 12 x 4 inches;

22.86 x 30.48 x 10.16 cm

Signed on verso

Resumes

GREGORY CORN

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023 “Gregory Corn, Alex Racine: Gravity & Grace,” Two-Person Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2022 “Gregory Corn and Dan Welden: Reflections,” Omni Gallery, East Meadow, NY

2022 “Gregory Corn and Dan Welden: Reflections,” Firefly Gallery, East Northport, NY

2021 “Observing 9/11: Breen Bridges and Corn, September 2021,” Woodward Gallery, NYC

2015 “Cathedra,” Briarcliff College, Patchogue, NY

2015 “Woodward Gallery: Decades,” Group Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2013 “Forces of Nature,” Windsor Whipworks Art Center, Windsor, NY

2012 “Structure,” Remsenburg Academy, Remsenburg, NY

2012 “Tension / Creative Tension / Balance,” Full Moon Art center, East Moriches, NY

2011 East End Arts Council Artists Studio Tour, NY

2011 “Gregory Corn/Raymond Gomez/Gayle Wyroba,” Whispergate Gallery, Remsenberg, NY

2010 “McPeak Estate,” Group Exhibition, Bellport, NY

2009 Patchogue Arts Biennial, Patchogue, NY

2008 “The Finale,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY

2008 “Process/Presence,” Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, NY

2007 “Contemporary Constructs,” Gallery North, Setauket, NY

2007 “Dan Welden & Gregory Corn,” Gone Local Gallery, Amagansett, NY

2006 “Gallery Review: 2006,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY

2006 “Sculpture,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY

2005 “Greg Corn & Marcia Widenor: Basic Elements,” Omni Gallery, Uniondale, NY

2003 “Spring Sculpture,” Including works by Nevelson, Noguchi, Judd, Rauschenberg, Keinholtz, Moore, and others, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2001 “ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS ” Woodward Gallery, NYC

2001 “Gregory Corn: Private Sector/ Public Domain,” Solo Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2001 “Paper Invitational IV,” Group Exhibition including works on paper by Ellsworth Kelly, Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, and others; Woodward Gallery, NYC

2001 “Minimalennialism,” Jim Kempner Fine Art, NYC

1998 “On & Off the Wall: Gregory Corn & John Pittman,” Two-Person Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

1997 “Curator’s Choice: Eight by Eight,” HECKSCHER MUSEUM of Art, Huntington, NY

1997 “Gregory Corn and John Wigmore: Sculpture,” Two-Person Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

1996 “Gregory Corn: Sculpture,” Solo Exhibition, Dru Arstark, NYC

1995 “Four Elements,” Group Exhibition, Woodward Gallery, NYC

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS CONTINUED

1995 MFA Exhibition, HILLWOOD MUSEUM, Long Island University, Brookville, NY

1995 “Buchan/Corn/Morrison,” Three-Person Group Exhibition Woodward Gallery, NYC

1995 “The Great Linear Space Mystery,” MILLS POND HOUSE MUSEUM, Saint James, NY

1994 “The Carriage House Project,” ISLIP MUSEUM, Islip, NY

1994 “The Great Linear Space Mystery,” MILLS POND HOUSE MUSEUM, Smithtown, NY

1994 “Art on the Avenue,” Group Exhibition, ISLIP MUSEUM, Islip, NY

1994 “12” x 12” x 12,” ISLIP MUSEUM, Islip, NY

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

2015 The Dunes, Easthampton, NY

2014 Simon Residence Southampton, NY

2014 American Radio, Television Personality, Comedian, and Author Howard Stern’s Residence, Palm Beach, FL

2014 American Radio, Television Personality, Comedian, and Author Howard Stern’s Residence, Southampton, NY

2014 The Sandcastle, Wainscott, NY

2014 Hymowitz residence, Sagaponak, NY

2013 Borak residence, Hawaii

2013 The Sandcastle, Wainscott, NY

2013 Full Moon Art Center, East Moriches, NY

2012 Hearst residence, Watermill, NY

2011 Mr & Mrs. Mark Andrews, St. James, NY

2011 Mr. & Mrs. Ackman, Bridgehampton, NY

2010 Griffen residence, Southampton, NY

2009 Hymowitz residence, Sagaponak, NY

2009 American Radio, Television Personality, Comedian, and Author Howard Stern’s Residence, Southampton, NY

1998 RGA Associates, Corporate Collection, NYC

1997 Emmy Awarded, Media Entrepreneur, Tad Lowe, NYC

1997 Phil Von Hemert, Private Collection, NY

1996 Woodward Gallery, Corporate Collection, NYC

1995 HILLWOOD MUSEUM, Permanent Collection, NY

1995 THE ISLIP MUSEUM, Permanent Collection, NY

1995 Artist Dan Cristoffel, NY

1994 Director Mary Cohalan, THE ISLIP MUSEUM, Islip, NY

1994 CW Post Scholarship Committee Collection, NY

1994 Mr. R. Fisher, President, Smithtown Council of the Arts, NY

Alex Racine

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2023 “Gregory Corn, Alex Racine: Gravity & Grace,” 2-Person, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2022 “New In 22,” Group, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2020 “WashYourHands.art,” Group, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2019 “Fresh Diversity,” Group, Woodward Gallery, NYC

2018 Solo, Front Room Gallery, NJ

2008 “Brazilian Biennale - Winning Artists and Guests,” Group, Brazil

2007 Limner Gallery, Group, Hudson, NY

2007 Diesel Gallery, Solo, Brooklyn, NY

2007 Pleiades Gallery, Solo, New York

2006 -2007 Gourmet Garage, “Art By The Pound,” Street Level Windows in SoHo, Solo, Presented by Woodward Gallery, NYC

2006 Group, Monkdogz Urban Art, NY

2006 Group, Pleiades Gallery, NY

2005 Solo, Fashion Designer Norma Kamali, Showroom, NYC

2005 Art Walk, Outdoor Sculpture for Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

2005 Solo, Pleiades Gallery, New York

2004 Solo, Pleiades Gallery, New York

2004 Group, M3 Projects

2003 Group, Pleiades Gallery, New York

2003 Group, Xerox Company, Connecticut

PERMANENT OUTDOOR SCUPLTURE

2010 Building Facade, 396 Dean Street, Brooklyn

2007 Sculpted bricks on building, Degraw Street, Brooklyn

2006 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

2004 464 State Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

2001 Building Facade, 464 State Street