JAZZ FOUNDATION and EXHIBIT A GALLERY

Exhibit A Gallery - 160 Mercer Street in SoHo - in conjuction with the Jazz Foundation of America, is pleased to present an exhibition of recent paintings and drawings by Jeff Hargrave beginning on December 6, 2001 and running through January 5, 2002. A for the artist on December 6 from 6 - 9 pm will feature a jazz performance by Doc Pittman and his band. A portion of the proceeds from this exhibition will be donated to the Foundation which works to provide housing, food and medical assistance to musicians in need.

Jeff Hargrave's work confronts as it toys with self deprecation and the racial stereotyping of African Americans. Early twentieth century masters such as Matisse and Picasso are appropriated and revised through the deft use of irony and insight. His own original portraits, darkly cartoonish, are primary and direct - designed to stop the viewer in his or her tracks.

The internationally acclaimed artist Shirin Neshat says of Mr. Hargrave's work:

“The childhood memories of Jef Hargrave and his upbringing in the South is masterfully depicted in his work, as the collective subconscious and the haunting minstrel images and racist cartoons find their way into his canvas. The reclaiming of such images at once opens a wound in America's conscience and challenges its insistent amnesia on race relations. By engaging the viewer through their intimate and often seemingly raw and expressive quality, Jeff Hargrave's paintings instigate a conflict within the viewer's psyche. The resolution of such conflict hence results in new meaning and hope. It is this transformation to humanize an image which has been originated and aimed at dehumanizing a race that lays at the heart of Jeff Hargrave's visual impact. He is an artist of significant talent and insight and will have far more to contribute in coming years.

Hours: Tues. - Sat. 12 - 6 pm and by appointment (212) 343-0230 Fax: (212) 343-0795. Please call Greg Smith or Mercedes Vicente at the Gallery for more information.