Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Hart/Downtown Magazine
The UNIX Gallery recently opened its latest exhibit, The Foodhist Temple by artist Peter Anton, his first solo exhibit in New York in ten years. Anton, known for his ability to create art that can lure, charm, and surprise viewers, uses creative and modern sculpture techniques to alter and overstate foods to give them a new meaning. The scale of his work employs a a sense of humor that is both quirky and ironic, making for an overall fascinating and enjoyable show.
Upon arriving at the gallery, you must take off your shoes. The entire floor is carpeted, and there are pillows on the floor for meditation purposes. Anton purposely created this atmosphere specifically to give viewers the ultimate experience of combining the feelings of peace and happiness with food. ‘Believers’ can relax, reflect, and achieve a heightened sense of awareness of the importance of food and all of its pleasures.
Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Hart/Downtown Magazine
Scaling the walls are incredibly detailed and realistic sculptures of food. Anton is most well known for his boxes of chocolate sculptures, but he also incorporates other techniques by showcasing bacon, a fried egg, a hamburger and fries, a box of donuts and sushi. According to gallery employees, Anton took years and years of research to achieve the level of detail seen in his work. Even materials that were used to achieve the level of accuracy in his work were not readily available a few years ago. His sculptures are crafted carefully from selected, manipulated materials, including resin, metal, wood, clay, and acrylic and oil paints.
Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Hart/Downtown Magazine
“With heightened color and exaggerated forms, my work promises the unattainable in life: ultimate satisfaction,” said Anton. “Food evokes a sense of well being and is an important part of the special memories in our lives.”
For anyone interested in art and looking to be visually stimulated, Peter Anton’s The Foodhist Temple is definitely a must-see. The exhibition runs until May 9, and is located at 532 W 24th St. Be sure to check it out!
Photo: Courtesy of Jackie Hart/Downtown Magazine
-by Jackie Hart
