Wexler Art Gallery
201 N. 3rd St.
Tue-Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., free
(215) 923-7030
www.wexlergallery.com
When some think of art galleries, they conjure up an image of white walls and paintings that confuse the hell out of anyone who's not an MFA student. The Wexler Art Gallery is way different -- they have ceramics! Walk down the long and narrow streets of Old City and you might be shocked to find the gallery's two story, 4600 square foot corner space. Open the door and you'll be confronted with a life-size glass statue of a naked man whose pissed-off stance makes it seem like he's going to ask somebody if they want to take this outside. But he's not scary because he's naked. Plus, he has fat legs.
Given the scantily-clad statue, it's hardly surprising when owner Lewis Wexler explains that the building's rich history dates back to the Black Banana nightclub that resided there before the gallery. Wexler opened the gallery five years ago, and it displays mainly ceramics, furniture, flat art and jewelry. One of the current exhibitions, Collaborations in Clay, showcases pieces ranging from cups and saucers stacked on top of each other to a beautifully designed butter dish.
When asked to pick out a favorite work, Wexler laughs and says, "that's like picking your favorite kid." One must laugh courteously, even if one recognizes the relative ease of this task, considering how many of you are familial outcasts. Still, even if Wexler knows little about raising children, the art is impressive. Gregory Nangle's "Thinking on Your Feet While You're Sitting on Your Ass," a work about the size of a paperweight, is a small bronze statue of a pair of legs sitting down with a glass vase instead of a head or torso. The piece's artistic purpose is unclear, but the title is awesome.
Next time you're in old city to check out the Real World house, walk several blocks down and stop by the gallery. The staff is gracious, and if the art doesn't pique your interest (cad!), at least you can go compare sizes with the naked statue.
