Isabel Samaras: Ex Animo

Isabel Samaras: Ex Animo at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York, NY. "...Jonathan LeVine Gallery is pleased to present Ex Animo, Isabel Samaras’ first solo exhibition in New York. In her series of narrative paintings, Samaras focuses on a new direction in her work, presenting a world where dark, elusive desires become reality. Samaras examines alternate realities, re-imagining gothic romances with happy endings. Ill-fated journeys turn into enchanting honeymoons and surprising love connections.
For Ex Animo, Samaras replaces her recognizable TV characters with new personal models of expression. A hand, an abandoned and forgotten part of humanity, takes on a life of its own, or gets into mischief. Love and attraction, a reoccurring theme in Samaras’ work, are illuminated through symbols and storytelling. 'I’m still presenting idyllic images since I still believe in the power of love to conquer all,' explains Samaras, 'but it's tinged with a bit more darkness.' For Samaras these alternate endings are pleasant antidotes to fictitious stories. She invites the viewer to be part of her humorous and heartfelt storytelling process."