What will certainly be the most unusual art show of the year will open at Gallery on Greene tomorrow evening, Saturday, April 20, with a reception 6-9 p.m.
The show features the surrealist paintings of the late William Copley, known as CPLY, and the "Pilgrimage To Paradise" exhibition of Mark T. Smith— including a hand-painted Chrysler PT Cruiser that Smith is driving down from New York City.
In addition, a 10-feet-by-four-feet Pilgrimage To Paradise jigsaw puzzle depicting the island of Key West will be on display. The puzzle has 10 pieces made into artworks by an artist from each state the PT Cruiser passed through on the way to Key West.
Artists represented include the famous Peter Max.
William Copley (1919-1996) was a precursor to Pop Art. He is known for his witty, slightly titillating subjects and a colorful, decorative style. His images often include a herringbone-suited man in a bowler hat, an umbrella, and a bevy of naked women in boudoirs, bathrooms and in the back seats of cars.
He left America for Paris in 1951, where his art flowered. His return to America in 1962 just happened to coincide with the emergence of Pop Art.
He lived in the Florida Keys for many years and was here when he died.
About 40 drawings and paintings of Mark T. Smith— including the hand-painted PT Cruiser— will be on display at Gallery on Greene.
Using a car as a canvas is typical of the world-reknowned New York artist, whose style defies simple categorization.
Smith said he sees the journey down the east coast a living embodiment of the grand tradition of the migration of artists to the beauty and tranquility of Key West.