Brooklyn, New York, Ch’i Contemporary Fine Art is excited to present Chrysalis Stage, an installation and sculpture by Joe Mangrum, the artist’s second solo show at the gallery. Join us on Thursday, June 11th from 6 – 9 PM for the opening reception at the gallery’s Williamsburg location of 293 Grand Street between Roebling and Havemeyer. The evening will feature an artist talk and musical performance by voice, tap and jazz ensemble TrioNada as part of the Northside Music and Art Festival (June 11 – 14). We will also be open additional hours on June 12th as part of the Williamsburg Gallery Association Second Friday event. The public is invited to attend these events and visit the gallery during regular hours: Wed – Sun 11 AM – 7 PM, and Mon. 9 AM – 5 PM. For more information contact the gallery at 718.218.8939.

Artist Statement: My greatest desire is to reveal a deeper truth by exploring the visual experience. For many years, I have been moved by the spherical Mandala as a universal scientific and metaphysical form. Its shape echoes manifestations in our own cells, unfolding flowers or patterns in the deepest reaches of space. I am interested in naturally formed phenomena devoid of artificial boundaries and their contrast to structures like a pyramid or grid. Our lives are inherently connected to the whole of its people, its natural wonder, spirit and momentum. By magnifying the outlook of a flourishing sustainability with impending disaster, I aspire to better understand the consequences we face in our experience of modern life.

About Joe Mangrum

Joe Mangrum’s installations have been shared with national and international audiences. In 2008 Joe was invited to create site-specific installations for the All Points West and Mile High Music Festivals in the US. He was also selected for an International Juried Show at Viridian Artists, Inc. curated by Elisabeth Sussman of the Whitney Museum. Also while completing a residency in China, Joe created a living sculpture using air-plants titled “Retail Transmutation” at the exhibited at the Sunshine Museum in Beijing. Past accolades include the 2003 Lorenzo de Medici Award in “New Media” at the Florence Biennale for his striking piece “Fragile”. An alumnus of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Joe began his training as a painter and while traveling abroad moved toward installations of found objects. He continues to explore mediums and materials in his work.