People Who Work Here at David Zwirner

David Zwirner, 519 West 19th Street, New York, NY, ranks among the bluest of the blue chip galleries in Chelsea with a roster that includes Alice Neel, Dan Flavin, Marlene Dumas, and Lisa Yuskavage.

In a refreshing change of pace, the gallery is presenting People Who Work Here, a group show featuring pieces by its staff members, all art insiders by definition, but whose points of view range far beyond what's commercially saleable. While there is no theme or concept, most of these works have an inward and personal sensibility, from people who love making art just for the sake of it.

The figurative and abstract works include a wide range of media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation. The most beguiling pieces have a handcrafted feel, sort of like outsider art from an insider's perspective.

James Morrill and Chris Rawson, co-directors of Rawson Projects, are employees of David Zwirner and curated the exhibition. According to Morrill:

A lot of art handlers and other people who work here had started to develop reputations even outside emerging areas in their own right. Everyone at the gallery was aware of it and happy for their success. I think there's a lot of support here, and understanding and respect for people who are working in addition to what their normal jobs are.

It's gratifying to note that the works have been selling briskly, no doubt due to the high profile of the gallery.

The show will be on view until August 10, 2012. I hope other venues around town take up a similar idea and showcase their own hidden talent.

Cy Amundson, Thoughts on Proximity (Moon Dog), 2012, Oil on canvas, 60 x 52 1/2 inches (152.4 x 133.4 cm)

Ben Berlow, Untitled, 2009, Acrylic and gouache on paper 11 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches (29.8 x 22.2 cm)

Clive Murphy, Untitled (Calatrava Jaws), 2011, Modified clothes hangers, synthetic cord, and glue, 12 x 9 x 13 inches (30.5 x 22.9 x 33 cm)

Chris Medina, research real technology, 2012, Oil, wax, acrylic, and inkjet transfer on canvas, 24 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches (61.6 x 21 cm)

Justin Davis Anderson, Hello Marcel, 2008-2012. Enamel and gouache on Polaroid, 7 x 4 7/8 inches (17.8 x 12.4 cm)

Ramon Silva, Pyramid Stack #1, RiRi, 2012, Paint marker, acrylic, and one (1) Xerox transfer on canvas; video on monitor, 1:13 min (loop), color, silent, 21 canvases, stacked, Overall: 72 x 54 inches (182.9 x 137.2 cm) Each canvas: 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm)

David Ording, Shell, 2012, Oil on Masonite, 4 1/2 x 4 inches (11.4 x 10.2 cm)

Joel Fennell, hetoimasia tou thronou, 2012, Found midcentury modern chair, 35-watt RCA valve amplifier, speaker cable, four (4) speaker boxes, and iPod Shuffle, Overall: 132 x 123 x 36 inches (335.3 x 312.4 x 91.4 cm)

Sam Martineau, Only in 3′s, 2011, Acrylic on muslin, 30 x 18 inches (76.2 x 45.7 cm)

Aengus Woods and John Holten, The Appearance of a Conversation About the LGB Group in the David Zwirner Gallery Inventory, 2012, Video on monitor, 36:34 min (loop), color, sound, Overall dimensions vary with installation

Aidan Sofia Earle, Untitled (metal piece), 2012, Mixed metal media, 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 7 inches (26.7 x 21.6 x 17.8 cm)

Liz Nielsen, Composition 6, 2012, C-print, 24 x 20 inches (61 x 50.8 cm), Unique print

Brent Harada, A Helpful Trip to Saskatoon, 2012, Ink on paper, 8 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches (21 x 15.9 cm)

Dave Miko, Cesium Plankton, 2012, Ink, enamel, and lacquer, Dimensions variable with installation

More images here.