An Artistic Exploration of the Space Between Memory,
Fantasy, History & the Galaxy

PHILADELPHIA, PA – November 4, 2013 – Fishtown’s Highwire Gallery is pleased to present MicroCosmic, an exhibit of 2-dimensional works by Philadelphia artists Joshua Gabriel, Rochelle Marcus Dinkin, and Rachel Isaac, running from Friday, December 6, 2013 through Saturday, December 29, 2013.  Each of the three MicroCosmic artists uses intricate detail and layers to create their own worlds, inhabiting the space between memory, fantasy, history, and the galaxy.  MicroCosmic kicks off with an opening reception featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres, all three artists in attendance, and other treats on Friday, December 6, 2013 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.  The reception will be part of Philly’s monthly First Friday art crawl.  Highwire Gallery is in Fishtown at 2040 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125 (highwiregallery.com).  Gallery hours are Friday through Sunday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.  This is a free event.  For additional information, please call 215-426-2685 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/537746066302938.

MicroCosmic explores themes of nature, magic, spirituality, dream-consciousness, sexuality, and the subconscious mind.  This is the third year in a row that these three artists have collaborated together on an exhibit at Highwire Gallery.  The previous shows were successful and well attended.

Joshua Gabriel –
Joshua Gabriel’s art is based around his intricate line work, most of which is produced via freeform drawing.  Working with a combination of paint markers, acrylics, spray paint, and, at times, Photoshop, Gabriel creates sprawling, psychedelic canvases, drawings, and prints of maze-like patterns, which merge freestyle forms inspired by nature with figurative elements such as large female faces, animals, and iconography inspired by the ancient world.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, Gabriel received a BFA from the Tyler School of Art and later moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he currently lives and works.  An avid visual artist and musician, he has been exhibiting his art and recording/performing music since 1998.  His visual art has exhibited in New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and he recently completed two large-scale outdoor murals (see image right) in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.  www.joshuagabriel.com 
(Photo above right: Joshua Gabriel in front of his recently painted mural, photo credit Street Art NYC).

Rochelle Marcus Dinkin –
Rochelle Marcus Dinkin explores the female narrative represented by the central character of the heroine. Using traditional oil painting techniques as well as pencil, ink, watercolor and pastels, Dinkin creates layers evoking both the psychology and the mythology of the female mind.  In the sexual dance between men and women, in the universal roles of seductress and protector, Dinkin finds her women waiting, defending, and contemplating the dense forest and the next battle.  Through the magical universes that heroines traverse, we see the creation of family and the passage of ancestors.  Dinkin is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, has had over 25 solo shows, has participated in numerous group shows, and is represented in many private and public collections.  She is a past recipient of the Fleisher Memorial Challenge Award.  www.rochellemarcusdinkin.com

Rachel Isaac –
Rachel Isaac creates beautifully whimsical mixed media works using etching, paper cutting, pencil, collage, and watercolor.  Used separately or combined, each medium allows Isaac to express a distinct variation on central themes of our natural and psychological place in the world.  Magical, and sometimes frightening, children, animals, and dolls engage with the natural environment.  A veteran of the trade show circuit, Isaac is a lifelong Philadelphia native who has been running her own fine art and framing business for over 20 years.

Rochelle Marcus Dinkin Interview
view at:  theartblog

Highwire Gallery –
Highwire Gallery, in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, is an artist-run, non-profit, co-op gallery that first opened in 1987.  The gallery features monthly curated or open call visual art exhibits as well as live music, video, and performance art.  The venue is also known for community collaborations and hosting critically-acclaimed experimental Fire Museum concerts.

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For more information, photos, or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201 or lynn@greengalactic.com.