The Fashion Plate Magazine

De Buck Gallery in New York announces an upcoming exhibition by French artist Zevs, entitled ELLE. The exhibition will be on view at the gallery from November 19 to December 19, 2015, with an opening reception to be held on November 19 from 6-8 PM, which the artist is scheduled to attend.

As the title suggests, in ELLE, Zevs seeks to examine the historical depiction of the feminine through art and, in the modern day, the mass media, while integrating his own take. For those who have followed his career to this point, the works in ELLE will exhibit Zevs’ telltale interest in manipulating pre-existing and instantly recognizably imagery. In the past, this practice has focused primarily on corporate logos and mainstream celebrities. Now Zevs turns his attention instead to iconic images of women, ranging from the Renaissance to today.

From Leonardo to Ingres, Man Ray to contemporary fashion magazines, women have played the muse to artists for centuries. By virtue of these depictions, their subjects have become exalted – either through the art historical weight of masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, or through the abundant celebration, and often sexualization, of celebrities in publications like ELLE magazine and in popular culture in general. In this exhibition, Zevs draws attention to the similarities and evolution of how women have been depicted in art, complemented by his integration of references to logos, religious imagery, and Yves Klein, to offer an astute commentary on the historical glorification of both individual and generic female figures in art and culture.

Zevs was born in France in 1977, and first gained renown as a street artist in Paris during the 1990s. Since then, he has extensively participated in exhibitions and performances worldwide, including the Ny Carlsberg Glyptothek (Copenhagen), the Palais de Tokyo (Paris), the NRW Forum (Dusseldorf) and the historic Cabaret Voltaire (Zurich). He currently lives and works in Paris and Berlin.

In conjunction with ELLE, De Buck Gallery to support the Brothers of Charity initiative via the resale of works by Zevs. All profits from the sale of these works will go towards the Brothers of Charity’s initiative in the Central African Republic to build hospitals, and support mental health in war-torn nations. For more information or for a list of available works, please contact the gallery.

De Buck Gallery

545 West 23rd Street  / +12122555735
Tue – Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 11am to 6pm