Anthony Philip Fine Art is proud to feature the work of Portland, Oregon, artist Ruth Shively in our Fall 2016 exhibition, "Ruth Shively: It Girl." 

September 9-October 30, 2016

Anthony Philip Fine Art
56 Bogart Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206

Freedom, charcoal and graphite, 24" x 36”, 2016.

Shively's masterfully illustrative drawings capture the intensity of women living in the 21st century. Her dynamism and structure imbues each work with a sense of playfulness, even when depicting the subject in a state of contemplation. Shively’s women are immediately beautiful, however upon closer inspection they reveal many strengths beyond the superficial. The vulnerability exhibited is not a weakness, but a means of drawing you in and preparing you for their vitality and intelligence. Look into their eyes, and you see smart, fierce human beings who will shape the world to their designs. They are thoroughly modern, without need of approval or permission to be who they are.

The works also function as a talisman for the artist. Shively embeds within each portrait a narrative of confidence and control, and they in turn allow both the artist and viewer to draw from them a sense of empowerment. Shively began this body of work more than four years ago, collaborating with a number of European fashion photographers, who provide her with raw images as subject and inspiration. She then proceeds to blow out the contrast and manipulate the composition to push each work toward a stark sophistication and elegance.

Ruth Shively was previously featured on The Nice Niche in April 2016...
http://www.theniceniche.com/this-week/ruth-shivley