February 9 – March 15, 2008

We are pleased to announce a new series of paintings by Jacques Roch. In this series, Jacques subverts the famous painting by Manet, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe in an ironic way. The background scenery undermines Manet’s iconic nude woman. Jacques’ choice of vibrant colors creates a tension that can be either joyful or satirical. It is no longer a luncheon in the grass. It is an escape to a different geography and other dreams.

Unique characters are how Roch first made a name for himself. Roch began his career as a cartoonist for underground newspapers in Paris. Today, these characters pop up on color-saturated canvases. Dreamlike worlds star everything from a creature in a trashcan contemplating life in the city to a Rubenesque figure that takes on fantastical erotic proportions. This motley crew of cartoon characters is juxtaposed with random brushy patches of acid hued acrylic paint to create ocular pleasures.

“Color is the gate to joy. In the last 10 years, I’ve been dealing with light against the darkness around,” says Roch.

For further information, please contact the gallery.