The New York Studio School and the James Howell Foundation are pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition Twilight: 21 Works by James Howell, a solo show of work by the American artist curated by Silvia Benedetti. The exhibition, which will run from September 6 to October 20 showcases Howell’s distinctive works, further cementing his reputation as a significant figure in contemporary art. An opening reception will be held on Friday, September 6 from 6 to 8pm.

D. Joy Howell, President of the James Howell Foundation, enthusiastically states, “We are absolutely thrilled to have the James Howell exhibition at the New York Studio School. It is the perfect setting to honor his work, and I couldn’t be happier to see his artistic legacy shared with such a vibrant and inspiring community.”

Silvia Benedetti, curator of the exhibition, writes, “James Howell was obsessed with the infinite nuances of gray. His works explore the liminal space between light and shadow, redefining abstraction in painting. Meticulously crafted in acrylic on canvas, his paintings are intricate studies of tones of gray. Howell’s limited palette and his eradication of distracting visual elements can be seen as a counterpoint to the expressive chaos of Abstract Expressionism, while his structured approach echoes minimalism and the grid-based art of the 1960s and 1970s.

Twilight: 21 Works by James Howell features paintings in which he exclusively used multiple tones of grays that he carefully prepared in a mathematical sequence. In the canvases, he drew lines he later filled with brushstrokes corresponding to different hues of a certain gray. Each piece is a unique gradation of the color and each is composed of either a single canvas or a sequence of them. Howell’s discipline and focus to a single artistic goal produced also subverts expectations by skipping tones, adding a humorous touch to the sequence of canvases. Howell’s compulsion for gray is as enigmatic as his artistic process. Beneath the seemingly simple surface of his paintings lies a complex methodology. His process is similar to weaving, not only pictorially but also in terms of the technique: fine lines on the canvas serve as the warp, while the brush loaded with gray acts as the weft, creating a tapestry of tones. A tapestry that confronts us with a true idea of infinity.”

Laura Bardier, Executive Director, adds, “This exhibition is a meaningful tribute to James Howell’s vision, and we are proud to bring his art to a place that resonates with his dedication to creative expression.” 

On Friday, September 20 at 6:30pm, curator Silvia Benedetti will be joined by Laura Bardier, Executive Director, James Howell Foundation, and art historian Alistair Rider in a discussion of Howell’s work in the gallery. The event will be held both in person and live-streamed via Zoom. To attend virtually, please register by clicking here.

James Howell (1935-2014) was an American artist whose work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the country and internationally. His work is characterized by its meticulous detail in exploring the gradations of light and shadow in color. His signature use of the color gray has defined the last thirty years of his career, culminating in his Series 10. Inspired by the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Howell’s work is influenced by natural phenomena. His highly mathematical and philosophical process expands his work beyond the boundaries of the canvas. Implementations of differential geometry and the teachings of the Tao Te Ching have been equally important to his process as color theory and brushwork techniques. Howell’s pieces are a part of numerous private and public collections and he has been the recipient of several awards and honors for both his fine art and architectural achievements. Howell describes his work as “a continuous exploration of the interplay between light and shadow, form and void.” This exhibition reflects Howell’s quest to capture the ephemeral beauty of our world. The relationship between nature, math, philosophy, and art in Howell’s practice creates a wholly unique viewing experience.

The James Howell Foundation, established by D. Joy Howell in 2017, aims to perpetuate Howell’s legacy and provide access to his archives. This is accomplished through publications, exhibitions, and artwork donations. The Foundation also supports art professionals and artists, especially those who embrace Howell’s interdisciplinary spirit. For instance, the organization collaborates with NYC schools to offer opportunities for students in curatorial and art historical programs. Moreover, grants and donations are awarded to institutions that align with the Foundation’s mission. This two-pronged approach nurtures the creative and intellectual efforts of art communities.

Silvia Benedetti is a Venezuelan New York-based independent art historian, curator, and writer. She is a recipient of the 2023 Andy Warhol Foundation and Creative Capital Arts Writers Grant. Her research focuses on opportunities to critically reassess and contextualize the work of peripheral creators in a global ambit as well as the intersection of artistic and social practices. In 2023, she curated the exhibition Dadas las circunstancias at the Clemente Soto Vélez in the Lower East Side and co-curated with Lindsay Aveilhé Ways of seeing an exhibition at The Gardiner Gallery of Art at Oklahoma State University. Some of her previous curatorial and research positions include Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and Dia Art Foundation. Her writings have appeared in publications such as Hyperallergic, Artforum, and post: notes on art in a global context. She holds an MA in Art History and an Advanced Certificate in Curatorial Studies from Hunter College, and an undergraduate degree in Communications – Journalism from Universidad Monteávila in Caracas.