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FEB 15TH - MARCH 29TH: W.O.R.D.

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James Oliver Gallery in Philadelphia presents W.O.R.D. 

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A culmination of visual language, W.O.R.D. serves to archive and spotlight artists invested in supporting their local community. Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, February 15th from 6-9pm.​The group exhibition features Adam Wallacavage, James Oliver, Jodi Rice, and Anthony DeMelas.

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Calling Philadelphia home, these artists have been creating work and engaging with the local arts community for over 20 years through imaginative expression, public art installations, visual arts programming, and more. We are thrilled to exhibit an amalgamation of recent works alongside a selection from years past. W.O.R.D. will be on view through March 29th, 2025.

Adam Wallacavage, born in 1969, is an American artist renowned for his surreal and highly ornate octopus chandeliers. Wallacavage graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in Photography in 1995. His journey into the realm of sculptural art began when he taught himself the art of ornamental plastering in 2001, leading him to create his signature chandeliers. His works are inspired by a variety of sources including sea adventure stories, the extravagant interiors of old churches, and the works of architect Antoni Gaudí.

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Wallacavage’s pieces have been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, and TIME Magazine. Beyond his sculptural work, Wallacavage is also an accomplished photographer. His photography career began with skateboarding magazines and progressed to capturing bands and street art in the mid-1990s, eventually transitioning into commercial photography. Wallacavage's home in Philadelphia reflects his artistic vision, with rooms themed to resemble various environments, including an underwater deep sea diving room featuring one of his octopus chandeliers. His ability to combine art with functional decor has made him a notable figure in bridging the gap between fine art and interior design.

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Adam Wallacavage,

Creature Friends

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​Found vintage lamp, epoxy clay, mixed media

Lampshade by Jodi RIce and Kevin O'Brian with velvet fabric.

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​37 x 16 x 16"​, 2025

James Oliver is a painter whose precise visual language pushes the tradition of twentieth century abstraction into a contemporary context. Oliver is a conceptually driven formalist whose work is inspired by his dreams and emotional states, which he abstracts into an undetermined and subjective viewing experience by emphasizing line, color, and form. He turns to a figurative practice in recent series, rendering cultural icons like chopper bikes, Pontiac Firebirds, and his childhood poodle in detailed line drawings, these representations similarly evoke broadly accessible effects abstracted from his mental landscape.

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James Oliver, Thrill, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48", 2024

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James Oliver, Tell Your Ride, Acrylic on Canvas Panel 12" x 12", 2018

Born in Upstate New York, raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the son of an advertising executive and an educator, Oliver was exposed from a young age to visual art from its most commercial applications to more visceral exponential lives. In 2006, he opened James Oliver Gallery, where Oliver has honed his painting and curatorial skills. As a curator he scans the breadth of the world for artists who will enhance the vision of his gallery spaces.

Jodi Rice is a multifaceted visual artist in Philadelphia, known for her work in sculpture, ceramics, curation, and art education. She specializes in creating art that blends conceptual themes with meticulous craftsmanship, and often explores topics like human sexuality, feminism, and personal transformation

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Rice pursued her artistic education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture. Her early works were conceptually driven, focusing on the conflicting societal messages geared towards women and body image. Over time, her focus shifted, equally valuing both concept and craftsmanship in her projects. Her work has been displayed in several galleries, including Space 1026 and Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia, as well as Mortal Machine in New Orleans.

Anthony DeMelas is a visual artist from Philadelphia, exploring overlooked glimpses of visual reflections that coexist all around us. His conceptual process and inspiration is always in flux; reanimating fragments of his life through a broad palette of wood, oil, wax, paint and photographs. Through layering images, he works to expose an unseen realm of existence. Photos are taken without the guise of perfected shutter speeds and paint is pulled across these surfaces, allowing the oil, water and wax to do what they may, giving us just enough information---but without clouding our sight.

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Anthony DeMelas,Vermont, 12" x 18"

Galkyd oil on chromogenic photograph

Anthony DeMelas, On the Mend, 29.5 x 16" Oil paint, photography

Anthony DeMelas received his degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he specialized in sculpture, encaustic painting, and film photography. His work has been seen across Philadelphia since the early 90s, and has been featured in New American Paintings in 1999, 2001, & 2005. DeMelas has been commissioned to create murals for esteemed Philadelphia-based restaurants, Fork and Panorama, of which can still be viewed today.

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View the full catalogue below:

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James Oliver Gallery

723 Chestnut Street

2nd Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

HOURS

Wed - Fri: 5:00-8:00PM

Sat: 1:00-8:00PM

Sun - Tues: By Appt. Only

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