IMAGINARY FLOREO

NEW WORK BY CHRISTINE MOTTAU TO OPEN ON MARCH 27^th 2012 at the CERES GALLERY NYC.

The Ceres Gallery presents Imaginary Floreo, a solo exhibition of new drawings and paper sculptures by Artist Christine Mottau. The Show opens on March 27^th 2012 and runs until April 21^st.  The opening reception is Thursday evening March 29^th from 6-8pm.

“This work is like a breath of fresh air for me” says Mottau, who’s work has been deeply rooted in pure abstraction for many years.  “This show is exciting because it is about fantasy and imagination, and I am also working three dimensionally for the first time”.

Although the subject of this exhibition is semi-  representational, a kind of “magical realism’  which is a  departure from Mottau’s  last several show’s of abstract drawings at Ceres,  The work is  consistent  with the technical obsessiveness , and attention to  detail  that she is known for.

This work is about the context of imagination for creating a fantasy world. The flowers are interpreted from memory, not actual depictions of existing species. They reflect the historical influence of the portraiture like studies made by the European  Botanical Artists of the turn of the century.

The Colored Pencil drawings are spontaneous and direct, and focus on the fantastical fluidity of line. The waxy medium of the pencil gives a sheen and vibrancy to the color.  Both the line and gesture of the drawings inform the paper sculpture. In these reliefs the flowers grow without restraint, beyond the boundaries of the frames.  The paper sculptures and drawings are made from the same French rag paper. The flowers are hand formed, each petal, hand cut, shaped and adhered with an archival glue. There is a focus on beauty in these pieces, they are aesthetically elegant and joyous. “ I started the series of drawings in February 2011. In the harsh North East winter, drawing flowers from my imagination was a gorgeous escape, and making the paper flowers became little worlds of their own.  As in all of my work, the concept for this exhibition emerged from the materiality of the process, where my imagination and sub conscious lead the way.”

CERES GALLERY

547 WEST 27^TH st.

2^nd. Floor  10001

212-947-6100

art@ceresgallery.org

Be sure to mark March 29th in your calendars, as we are delighted to invite you to join us for Christine Mottau's show opening reception featuring her beautiful, three-dimensional paper art works, titled "Imaginary Floreo", which is being held at Ceres Gallery in Chelsea. We can't wait to see what magic Christine has in store for us and we look forward to seeing you there!

We are excited to announce that Christine Mottau's Birdy City Home Collection is now a featured home brand for Gilt Home. Be sure to join both the Birdy City and Gilt Home parties to stay on top of the beautiful items ensured to stylize your home beyond your wildest dreams!

Prop Stylist and Art Director, Christine Mottau, has launched a website that features a collection of art, objects, and accessories that she has handpicked and procured from around the globe, ready to purchase and to spruce up your home! Below is a statement and some info on her new project, Birdy City:

Birdy City (www.birdycity.com) a collection of beautiful objects for the discerning few, will open online November 1, 2011. Created by Christine Mottau, the Birdy City Home Collection consists of art, objects, and accessories that she has handpicked and procured from around the globe.  As the still-life stylist for luxury brands including Mercedes-Benz, Bergdorf Goodman, Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein Home, and publications including Vogue, GQ, Departures, Harper’s Bazaar and The New York Times Magazine, Mottau and her collection reflects the sensibility of one of New York’s premier taste makers. 

“The pieces aren’t necessarily elitist or expensive but they are all remarkable,” says Mottau, who believes that objects rooted in simple, organic shapes can be luxurious without being opulent. “You won’t find these things in the department stores. Maybe you’d stumble upon some in the Paris Flea Market but you’d have to spend years walking the aisles, as I have done.”

Objects are modern, timeless, and a bit of bohemian luxe. “There’s an African trade basket woven from wire that, from a distance, looks deceptively simple, but when you get close you see it’s made with the intricacy and detail of a master.” On the other end of the aesthetic spectrum is a solid crystal log, stamped with a faux boit natural finish. “It’s life-size, to scale,” notes Mottau. “It’s extravagant, maybe even fabulous, and it’s not for everyone -- and that’s the point. The person who eventually owns it will absolutely love it.”

Christine grew up in Greenwich Village, NYC, in a family of artists and musicians who encouraged her creative interests. As a girl she was decorating her dollhouses, rearranging the furniture in her bedroom, and creating vignettes around the house. In college, she studied painting at the Art Institute of Boston under renowned artist Nathan Goldstein. Today, her paintings and drawings are shown at Ceres Gallery in NYC.

The site was named after Mottau’s 14-year-old Cairn terrier, a dog that “reminds me that no matter how chic and elegant, a comfortable home full of love and beauty is where we all want to be.”

Shana Novak teamed up with prop stylist, Christine Mottau, to shoot Reach's new Advertising campaign.

Prop & Laydown Stylist, Christine Mottau, has recently added Photo Art Direction to her extensive list of talents. Check out the link of her works below and keep your eyes open for upcoming projects currently in the works!

Christine Mottau: Photo Art Direction