American Art Collector – August 2019

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SHOW PREVIEW

how they enhance each other.
Prestegord’s latest body of work, which depicts the
urban landscape of New York City, is paired alongside
abstract expressionist Danny Simmons—brother
of Joseph Simmons of Run-DMC and noted record
executive Russell Simmons—in an exhibition titled
Alone Together. “It’s just a neat kind of show,” says
Prestegord. “[Simmons is] a really good abstract
painter, so I wanted to use elements of what he’s
doing in his work...I think we’re really similar in that
he’s doing abstraction and I’m doing more reality, but
we’re both from urban backgrounds...So I wanted to
mix with that.”
Taxicabs rush across the composition in a flurry
of yellow, capturing a moment in the daily haste of a
New York street corner in Moving Streets. The image of
what’s happening within the piece is clear in the mind,
and yet, the shapes are blurred and blended—far from

a photorealistic rendition. Prestegord says he draws

upon elements of abstraction as well as graffiti style

artwork, having grown up around a lot of graffiti artists.

While Prestegord’s body of work in this show focuses

on New York cityscapes, the artist says he paints in all

manner of subject matter. “I’ve studied all elements

of art,” he explains. “Sometimes I’ll paint a jazz player,

sometimes I’ll paint an orchestra with abstract qualities

in it. Anything that catches my eye, I’ll ask, how can

I incorporate that into my style of art? I’ve always been

into the urban kind of theme.”

Alone Together will be on view at George Billis

Gallery in New York from August 27 to September 28

with a reception on Thursday, September 12, from 6

to 8 p.m.

George Billis Gallery 525 W. 26th Street, Ground Floor •

New York, NY 10001 • (212) 645-2621 • http://www.georgebillis.com

1

In the City, oil on canvas,

48 x 60"

2

Night Train, oil, 48 x 48"

3

Walking Towards, oil on

canvas, 60 x 30"

4

Moving Streets, oil on

canvas, 24 x 24"

4