2 or 3col -- pls do both sized captions-avv

Ascent of Man.jpg

Bruce McCall, “Ascent of Man,” 2007, gouache on board, 11¾ by 223/8  inches.

Ascent of Man.jpg

Bruce McCall, “Ascent of Man,” 2007, gouache on board, 11¾ by 223/8  inches.

FOR 3/28

BRUCE MCCALL OPENS APRIL 1 AT JAMES GOODMAN GALLERY w/1 cut

avv/gs set 3/19 #732608

NEW YORK CITY — “A View Askew: Recent Paintings by Bruce McCall” will be on view April 1–21, at James Goodman Gallery. An opening reception will take place Tuesday, April 1, 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The exhibition of Bruce McCall’s recent paintings satirizes life in New York, current events and the absurdity of consumerism in the Twentieth Century. This exhibition includes 12 recent gouaches reproduced as covers for The New Yorker; a series on the fictional 1956 World’s Fair commissioned by Vanity Fair; and 16 works from his upcoming children’s book, Marveltown, to be released in October. All works in the exhibit are examples of McCall’s combination of satire, fantasy and nostalgic wonder.

Described by Adam Gopnik as a “comic master,” the Canadian-born artist, now 73, has long juggled careers in art and writing. Entirely self-taught, he has forged a personal style that is instantly recognizable. He is best known for his New Yorker magazine covers, which are meticulously painted gouaches blending realism and escapism.

McCall has created more than 40 covers for the New Yorker since 1994. His world is part historical satire and part utopian fantasy. The playful images contain grains of truth while verging on the edge of science fiction. Appealing to a broad audience, his work is found in numerous private collections.

Exhibition highlights include: “There Goes the Neighborhood,” McCall’s brightly-colored and ostentatious high-heeled shoe dwarfs its surrounding environs; “The Ascent of Man,” McCall satirizes the constant desire of humans to obtain the next best thing in technology; “Jiffy Twist (Eco-friendly Transport),” McCall’s commentary on the country’s recent obsession with protecting the environment; and “Home Built Hologram at Work, from Marveltown,” where children outsmart their parents by creating a hologram of a perfect tidy room that their parents will see instead of a child’s messy room.

The gallery is at 41 East 57th Street, 8th floor. For information, 212-593-3737 or www.jamesgoodmangallery.com.