Ezra Johnson's dynamic display of works featured at Chelsea gallery

Ezra Johnson has unveiled his latest collection of paintings, sculptures, animations, and other installations for his debut exhibition titled It’s Under the Thingy at the Freight & Volume gallery in Chelsea. The works in this show bring out Johnson’s dynamic and innovative approach that he delivers to his intriguing creations. He uses a wide variety of materials to capture this energy.

Perhaps the most intriguing installation in this show is the installation 3 Shelves of Dish Cloths in which several colorful ceramic slabs resembling sponges are lined up in rows along shelves. Johnson’s inspiration for this piece came from viewing a sculpture of three kitchen sponges. He re-created these forms by twisting and contorting them to give them unique shapes, which he then glazed and fired. According to Johnson, these unusual sponges are meant to make an amusing statement on hard work and effort one must apply in life.

"3 Shelves of Dish Cloths" by Ezra Johnson 

Another intriguing installation, Slumping Toward Bethlehem, features a giant mattress, with design of multi-colored squares painted on it that’s presented to be rising from the floor with one of the upper corners slightly bent inward. The installation pays homage to the styles of Richard Serra and Claes Oldenburg. Johnson’s paintings include elements, which he refers to as “wave forms” or “intertwined limbs.” 

They convey energy and vibrancy with swift brushstrokes and bright colors, and some are done in collage form with images that are cut up and then glued back together. One notable painting Hammering the Screws features a skinny, silhouetted human figure holding an indistinct object as he stands over a glass table. Another untitled mixed-media collage features strips of paper, some skinny and some wide, laid out on a background that’s half orange and half tan-colored.

At Freight & Volume, 530 W. 24th St., through Nov. 1. The gallery is open Tues.—Sat. from 11 a.m.—6 p.m.

"A View From the Heart" features high quality photographs by Oystein Johnsen

The Trygve Lie Gallery, located on the lower level of the Norwegian Seaman Church in Midtown East, is currently presenting a collection of photographs by Oystein Johnsen. The exhibit, titled A View From My Heart, includes pictures that Johnsen has taken from around his Norwegian homeland, images of models, and captivating stills of water. 

Animals are also a popular subject of Johnsen’s as one intriguing image called Heifers at Sunset features four cows standing in a row on a pile of snow with two of the cows looking at the camera, and the other two with their heads tilted to the side. Birds are another favorite subject of Johnsen’s and images like Morning Bird depicts a duck sitting in the pond, eyeing the tail of another duck hidingunder the water. The duck’s reflection in the water is quite clear and the trees and plants in the distance are somewhat blurred, contrasting with the crisp focus of the duck and long stalks of grass in the foreground. 

"Heifers at Sunset" by Oystein Johnsen

Other notable sights of Norwegian life include Ice Castle depicting the ground and a group of willow trees completely covered in ice, and Pathway at World’s End that features a guiding light shining on a clear path in the forest. Johnsen’s photographs of nude models are honest, and capture raw emotion such as in Reflection, featuring a nude woman lying on her side with her back turned toward the viewer, and as the title of the photograph indicates, her reflection can be seen from beneath her. The images of ice sculptures are intriguing as well and appear in shapes such as a heart or a human figure. Johnsen captures the essence of simple, natural beauty at its core with these extraordinary photographs.

At the Trygve Lie Gallery, 317 East 52nd St., through Oct. 28. The gallery is open Tues.—Sat. from 12 p.m.—5 p.m.