Priska C. Juschka Fine Art presents Weapons of Mass Construction, Leah Montalto’s first solo exhibition in New York City. Drawing on principles of nanotechnology—the science of programming molecules to self-assemble on a mass scale—Montalto depicts various states of evolution as raw mass and matter morph into utilitarian architectural entities.

Employing a modernist approach, Montalto’s paintings provide an expansive view of distant future civilizations borne of scientific ingenuity. These perspectives reflect the potential intrinsic to new technologies that aim to seize control of the raw components of nature, eventually reassembling them into superior structures of living.

In her intuitive works, Montalto presents obsidian formations floating in space—caught in the midst of transformation from useless to functional structures. Gray and brown forms represent basic elements such as dust, stone, and planetary debris, while man-made matter such as metal, glass, and futuristic materials are reflected in a range of yellow, green, and red palettes. As the raw materials slowly surrender to those fabricated by man, the formation evolves into a new substance that will ultimately serve as the basis for a progressive habitat.

Despite their dark aesthetic, Montalto’s paintings carry a persistent sense of optimism and core belief in the opportunities that advancement will eventually be able to offer our society. This romantic outlook is evident in her harmonious compositions as they reflect continuous motion and a sense of gravity-defying dynamics. The works capture the creative impetus she trusts will not only afford our culture technological advancement—but also enable significant philosophical, architectural and political evolution. Recognizing the profound promise inherent to advances of this sort, Montalto strives to give form to a process that has thus far been intelligible to a mere select few.