If you’re exploring the vibrant New York art scene, the editors of ilNewyorkese, the go-to magazine for Italians in New York, suggest stopping by Philippe Labaune Gallery to experience “Together,” the debut solo exhibition by Italian artist Emiliano Ponzi. Known for his distinctive style and evocative storytelling, Ponzi’s work is on display through December 21st.
The exhibit’s opening night saw art critics and enthusiasts alike filling the gallery to view Ponzi’s 16 new acrylic pieces. Each painting tells part of an intimate narrative, created through a unique blend of digital and traditional techniques.
Ponzi’s approach is intriguing: he began by writing fictional diary entries, imagining two people’s private reflections. “It’s as if I stumbled upon these secret writings,” Ponzi shares, “and transformed their emotions into paintings.” After sketching out these scenes, Ponzi refined them digitally using Adobe Photoshop, playing with colors and shapes before finally hand-painting each piece on canvas.
One standout painting, titled “The First Time,” captures the fleeting magic of a young couple’s first meeting in a secluded park. Bathed in soft green light, the couple’s subtle gestures reveal a tentative connection, hinting at either a deepening relationship or just another fleeting encounter. Ponzi admits that this piece, with its layered emotion, became his personal favorite.
The darker tones of “Circular Path” shift the mood entirely, depicting a lone figure with a bouquet of pink flowers, abandoned in the rain. The desolation is palpable: a reminder of recurring mistakes and the emotional scars we carry. Ponzi comments, “We keep falling into the same patterns, our unresolved flaws echoing in our lives.”
Creating “Together” took Ponzi only six months, with each piece requiring an intense 3-7 days to complete. His rapid pace, he says, is key to keeping the creative energy alive. “These emotions are universal,” Ponzi explains. “I wanted each painting to resonate with feelings we’ve all known.”
Be sure to catch this evocative exhibition and experience Ponzi’s unique take on love, connection, and heartbreak. The Philippe Labaune Gallery invites the public to explore these layered stories until December 21st.
