October 16, 2023

Left: © Pia De Girolamo, *Wakeboarding on Green*, Acrylic on canvas, 37" x 27"
Right: © Pia De Girolamo, *Cyclist on the Bridge*, Acrylic on canvas, 20" x 30"

BODIES IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES AT REST

A Solo Exhibition by Pia De Girolamo

Exhibition Dates
September 13, 2023 – October 8, 2023

Opening Reception
Saturday, September 16 from 2 - 5 PM

Location:
Cerulean Arts Gallery
1355 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 514-8647
https://ceruleanarts.com/

Body Language:
Human Connection Forged Through Figure Drawing in New Exhibition

By Amie Potsic

Bodies in Motion and Sometimes at Rest is a solo exhibition of new work by, Pia De Girolamo, presented by Cerulean Arts Gallery. The paintings will be on view at Cerulean Arts Gallery in Philadelphia from September 13th to October 8th, 2023. The opening reception is on Saturday, September 16th from 2 to 5 PM. Cerulean Arts Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday & Sunday 12 to 5 PM.

In her new series of abstract acrylic paintings, De Girolamo investigates the interplay of movement and tranquility, as she portrays familiar faces, family, and friends. These artworks, ranging from expansive wall-sized pieces to intimate compositions, delve into the essence of human connection and the profound impact of shared experiences. With a command of color and form, De Girolamo presents visual narratives moving from dynamic action to serene contemplation. This exhibition marks a seamless continuation of De Girolamo's unique abstract approach, forging a profound and intimate connection between artist, subject, and viewer.

De Girolamo explains, "My current series of acrylic paintings on canvas and panel portrays abstracted figures in motion and at rest. The models are family and friends. In my prior landscape-based work, the human form rarely made an appearance. But, after two years of confinement due to the COVID pandemic, reconnecting with family and friends rekindled the strong impulse to paint the people I cherish."

De Girolamo found herself drawn to figures in action that convey joy, energy and intensity, which is the opposite of what was experienced during the pandemic lockdown. She also painted models at rest, gazing at the seashore or sitting composed in a chair. After the pandemic, one of her first trips was to St. Lucia where she was drawn to painting people interacting with the landscape in paddleoards, fishing, and hiking. These works were the beginning of the figure and motion taking center stage in her work.

"Action and contemplation are both necessary for a balanced life. This series represents my first exhibition of figurative paintings but it is rendered in the same abstracted manner I used for earlier work, " says De Girolamo.

Pia De Girolamo is an accomplished painter living and working in the Greater Philadelphia area whose recent exhibitions featured large-scale paintings based on abstracted mountain landscapes, as well as a series evoking the urban landscapes of Rome and Italy. She has had seventeen solo exhibitions, most recently at the Museo Mastroianni, within the Musei di San Salvatore in Lauro in Rome and at the Cerulean Arts Gallery in Philadelphia. She has also shown extensively in group exhibitions regionally. De Girolamo has a BA in Art History from Barnard College, Columbia University and an MD degree from the University of Rochester. She lectures on the relationship between art and medicine as well as the connections between art, nature, and health. Her awarded work has been acquired for collections by the Museo Mastroianni, Rome, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, PA and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia and has been highlighted in Hollywood feature films. For more information on De Girolamo's work: http://www.piadegirolamo.com

Cerulean Arts Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Philadelphia. Boasting eight gallery spaces, a classroom, and an artisan shop, Cerulean supports local artists and collectors. The gallery presents monthly exhibitions, workshops, and artist lectures. For more information on Cerulean Arts Gallery: https://ceruleanarts.com/

Bodies in Motion and Sometimes at Rest will be on view at Cerulean Arts Gallery in Philadelphia from September 13 – October 8. The opening reception is on Saturday, September 16th from 2 – 5 PM. Cerulean Arts Gallery hours are Wednesday - Friday 10 AM - 6 PM and Saturday & Sunday 12 – 5 PM.

Artwork © Pia De Girolamo, *Bodies in Motion and Sometimes at Rest* series, Cerulean Arts Gallery, 2023

© Pia De Girolamo, *Running Through Orange*, Acrylic on canvas, 37" x 28"

© Pia De Girolamo, *Fisherwoman*, Acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

© Pia De Girolamo, Image courtesy of the artist

© Pia De Girolamo, *Wakeboarding on Green*, Acrylic on canvas, 37" x 27"

About Cerulean Arts Gallery

Cerulean Arts Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in Philadelphia. Boasting eight gallery spaces, a classroom, and an artisan shop, Cerulean supports local artists and collectors. The gallery presents monthly exhibitions, workshops, and artist lectures. For more information on Cerulean Arts Gallery: https://ceruleanarts.com/

For more information about De Girolamo’s work, visit her Art History page here:
Art Histories: Pia De Girolamo — Amie Potsic Art Advisory

To visit De Girolamo’s website, visit:
Contemporary Paintings and Original Prints by Pia De Girolamo

BODIES IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES AT REST

Body Language: Human Connection Forged Through Figure Drawing in New Exhibition

Body Language:
Human Connection Forged Through Figure Drawing in New Exhibition