“Journey to Dawn and Dusk” Annamir at Newmark Gallery

May 3, 2007 to June 2^th, 2007. Opening Reception, May 3^rd,^,5:30 to 7:30 PM

San Francisco, CA. Mark Wladika, director of Newmark Gallery San Francisco, announces an exhibition of new paintings by the Russian born artist, Anna Mir, the gallery’s third solo exhibit for Ms. Mir.

"Journey to Dawn and Dusk" continues Anna Mir's conceptual landscape period with a ghostly exploration of dusk and dawn. Ms. Mir distills impressions gathered over her extensive travels with the focus on place at sunrise and twilight. In her words, "the time of day when Nature gets in touch with her 'inner minimalist'; the negotiation between abstraction and reality is inherent in this light’s quality."

Practicing figurative painting ranging in style from classical to minimalist - bordering on abstract - the artist pursues the expression of elusive psychological aspects of human perception. Deceptive simplicity of her subjects - still life, landscape, human or animal figure - represents a deliberate isolation of the point she intends to make. The artist uses textures and metallic mediums to further enhance the depth and light characteristics of the paintings. This approach to the subject, along with the fusion of traditional technique and heavy textures, creates a strong emotional and spiritual impact that appeals to a broad range of viewers.

Anna Mir was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. She began studying art at an early age. Her family moved to Moscow where Anna entered a school that specialized in art. She was accepted into the private drawing class of a renowned Russian artist, Alexander Sharov. She studied Fine Art and Design at the Moscow School of Applied Arts (formerly Stroganoff Art School – founded in 1825 by Count Stroganoff). In Soviet Russia formal art studies were focused on classical techniques and the more “modern approach” that Ms. Mir uses was not allowed in schools. She studied architecture at the Moscow Institute of Architecture and art history at the University of Moscow. Through the 80's, in addition to painting, she worked in printmaking, graphic design and illustration. Works of Anna Mir can be found in art collections in Russia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Great Britain, USA and Australia. In the early 90's Ms. Mir moved permanently to the U.S. and currently lives in the Bay Area.

Newmark Gallery San Francisco is located at 251 Post Street, Suite 412 in the Union Square area of San Francisco. Founded by Mark Wladika in 2004, we are committed to representing the highest quality contemporary art from the Bay Area and Europe. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am - 6 pm and by appointment. Please view our website at www.newmarkgallery.com for more information.