Unframed First Look

A Salon for Painters

July 24 - August 2, 2003
540 West 26th Street

Press Release

In an effort to advance the careers of emerging painters, noted artists Ross Bleckner, Peter Halley and Sue Williams have come together to organize Unframed First Look, an opportunity for the New York City art world to get to know undiscovered talent. Leveraging their substantial connections and those of Art Forum, Index Magazine and the Lehmann Maupin Gallery, the artists will gather noted New York gallery owners, collectors and critics to have a "first look" at the artists whose work will be galvanizing the art world in the months and years to come.

Participation will be open to painters in the United States and around the world with the jury (Bleckner, Halley and Williams) selecting the top 30-40 artists to be included in a salon exhibition at Lehmann Maupin. At the opening night cocktail reception, a prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the jury's choice for the best work submitted. Submission guidelines can be viewed online at www.acria.org/supporting/supporting_benefit_firstlook.html .

All works included in the exhibition will be sold to benefit the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), a prominent AIDS research and treatment education center. For more than a decade, ACRIA has been contributing to the FDA approval of new AIDS therapies and providing people living with AIDS with vital treatment information. More than 100 top contemporary artists (Jennifer Bartlett, Eric Fischl, Richard Serra, Kiki Smith and others) have supported ACRIA's efforts over the years by contributing to the agency's annual art sales.

Unframed First Look will take place at the Lehmann Maupin Gallery from July 24 to August 2 with an opening reception from 6-8pm on July 24.

Contact: J. A. Forde
(212) 924-3934 ext. 107

Exhibition Works

KEIKO NARAHASHI Good Morning, 2003 co-recipient of Unframed First Look $5,000 exhibtion prize courtesy Anne Klein fashion house


FRANCIS HOLSTROM Don't Worry About the Government, 2003 co-recipient of Unframed First Look $5,000 exhibtion prize courtesy Anne Klein fashion house


MELISSA L. PIECHUCKI Untitled (Hellbeast #2)


JOSHUA ABELOW Leak, 2003


JOY CURTIS Untitled, 2003

Installation Stills

Unframed First Look: A Salon for Painters Juried by Ross Bleckner, Peter Halley and Sue Williams Benefitting: AIDS Community Research Initiative of America Installation at Lehmann Maupin 24 July - 2 August 2003


Unframed First Look: A Salon for Painters Juried by Ross Bleckner, Peter Halley and Sue Williams Benefitting: AIDS Community Research Initiative of America Installation at Lehmann Maupin 24 July - 2 August 2003


Unframed First Look: A Salon for Painters Juried by Ross Bleckner, Peter Halley and Sue Williams Benefitting: AIDS Community Research Initiative of America Installation at Lehmann Maupin 24 July - 2 August 2003