Forgone: Re-Imagining The Figure

Arlene’s Artist Materials and the R Gallery at Arlene’s are thrilled to present Forgone: Re-Imagining the Figure, a group exhibition featuring works by Arnela Mahmutović and Teresa Ricci. This exhibit runs from March 7 to March 28, 2025, and invites viewers to explore figurative art through the lenses of personal histories, cultural narratives, and re-imagined classical traditions.

Arnela Mahmutović’s richly narrative paintings delve into her diasporic experiences, seamlessly weaving personal and cultural histories. Drawing inspiration from illuminated manuscripts and contemporary imagery, Mahmutović examines the intersections of her Balkan heritage and Western upbringing. Her work creates imagined spaces where displaced bodies find agency, encouraging viewers to reflect on how overlapping histories shape identity.

Teresa Ricci’s vibrant paintings reinterpret classical themes through a contemporary feminist perspective. Using bold colors and collage-inspired compositions, Ricci transforms traditionally violent or grotesque imagery into empowering scenes of female revenge. By combining Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics with glamor and florals, her work redefines symbols of weakness into powerful celebrations of strength and resilience.

Together, Mahmutović and Ricci offer a thought-provoking exploration of the human figure, challenging traditional narratives and re-imagining cultural and historical motifs. Their shared emphasis on storytelling and research creates an exhibition that is both visually stunning and intellectually engaging.

Join us for the Artist Reception on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular store hours at the R Gallery inside Arlene’s Artist Materials, located at 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Forgone: Re-Imagining the Figure.