Nina Johnson is pleased to present Of Purism, an exhibition of modern masters and contemporary artworks curated by New York and Los Angeles based architecture and design firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero (CHH). The exhibition sets forth a dynamic encounter with modernity, wherein artists engage with traditional forms of beauty on the one hand and the uncanny on the other. Of Purism will open with a public reception on December 3, 2018 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM and remain on view until March 2, 2019.

Featuring works that span a spectrum of mediums and blur distinctions of art and design - all within an art gallery CHH designed - the exhibition holistically recalls Purismo, the 19th century movement that sought inspiration in Italian art of the late Medieval. In their manifesto, Dei Purismo nelle Arti (Of Purism in the Arts), the movement’s artistic leaders advocated a return to the spiritual subjects and honest expression in art before Raphael, in reaction to what they perceived as the excessive rationalism and shallow subject matter of the High Renaissance. With an emphasis on the hand and materialism, and an interest in individual emotion and nature, the works echo the thrust of Purismo. Uniting Of Purism’s works is each artist’s unique, assiduous treatment of timeless themes.

Of Purism presents works by Pilar Almon, Oona Brangam-Snell, Taylor Colantonio, Ann Craven, John Graham, Batsheva Hay, Chris Ho, Nicola L, Emmett Moore, Anne Libby, Nicolas Lobo, Carlo Mollino, Malik Sidibe, Katie Stout, Sophie Stone, Cynthia Talmadge, Anna Weyant and Kevin Zucker.