For press information, contact: Courtney Kennedy or Nancy Eckhardt, 214.969.9410
Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art to Present Recent Sculpture by Noted Sculptor Team "Popliteo" The exhibition will open to the public on Friday, May 17th with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Included are over 20 monumental sculptures of fruits and vegetables. Luis Montoya and Leslie Ortiz, the duo that makes up "Popliteo", began working together in 1984 at Mr. Montoya's foundry and paired up as artists in 1995. Mr. Montoya received his BFA and MFA from the prestigious L'Escuela de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain. He later attended Kent State University in Ohio for post-graduate studies in sculpture. Ortiz received her BFA from Boston University and also attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Amsterdam, Holland with an emphasis on intensive work in sculpture and drawing. The sculpture is originally modeled in clay. It is then cast in bronze using the lost wax/ceramic shell process. After a detailed finishing of the bronze surface the patina is applied. Heat and chemicals are used to achieve the exquisite layering and subtlety of color that so uniquely characterizes the work of Popliteo. All the steps from the casting process to the final application of the patinas is done entirely in their studio. The pieces vary from single fruits to large free-standing compositions on polished black plinths while others are contained in massive baskets or pots cast in bronze. Initially the realist sculpture of Popliteo appears to belong to the photorealist domain. But the scale of the fruit and vegetables which form their subject matter takes it immediately out of the realist sphere and into an intriguing form of surrealism. The work of Montoya and Ortiz is internationally recognized and is included in major private, corporate and museum collections throughout the world. This is their first exhibition with Pillsbury & Peters Fine Art. Pillsbury and Peters Fine Art is located at 2913 Fairmount at the corner of Cedar Springs. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. For further information, please contact the gallery by telephone at 214-969-9410, by facsimile at 214-969-9023, or by email at info@ppfineart.com. For further information on gallery activities and programs, visit the website at www.pillsburypetersfineart.com
