George Billis Gallery | Through 11/7 | New York, NY

Next Exit New York

Coming off his series that focused on San Francisco and Los Angeles freeway signs, artist Eric Nash’s sights are now set on New York. Now on view at George Billis Gallery's Manhattan location are seven of Nash's new oil paintings and two drawings that explore the signage of New York City freeways. Although Nash's work is tightly rendered, he doesn’t consider himself a photorealist, but rather someone who utilizes those techniques to express ideas. “I work in a clean, simplified or idealized realism that edits out a lot,” he explains. “I like to create the feeling of a snapshot memory or a dream image, and I love to focus on the iconic or heroic nature of these signs, or whatever I’m painting. I find this approach elicits immediate and intuitive responses from viewers. It nods to my lifelong interest in Pop Art. While there is subtly in the work, the overall boldness grabs you from across the room and draws the viewer in both visually, and hopefully, emotionally.”

Manhattan Exit Only, oil on canvas, 38 x 60"

The artist also explains that the theme of the show was originally inspired by Los Angeles, “which is obviously a freeway-oriented city,” he adds. “What I found is that these signs became shorthand portraits of places. They seem to ignite memories, personal stories or thoughts by viewers of the places noted in the signs. What I like about them is that they are inclusive and universal—everyone goes to these places or sees these signs no matter who you are. They are very relatable…”

Yankee Stadium, oil on canvas, 24 x 36"

For the current show at George Billis Gallery, Nash flew to New York City to shoot reference photos. “It was fun to explore new territory yet stay within the confines of this series,” he says. “In a sense, these signs represent possibility. What will happen when you take that exit?”

Nash adds that shooting the photos for the series brought back a lot of memories, feeding the emotional connection Nash often strives to incorporate into his work. “I had spent a lot of time in New York City out of college, and before I went to Los Angeles,” he shares, “I actually lived for a year in Connecticut and would go into the City every weekend. My grandmother was born in the Bronx and grew up on Staten Island, and my schizophrenic uncle disappeared on the streets of Manhattan as a homeless person in the late 1970s—until we found him and brought him home. Having an emotional connection to anything I explore as an artist is important.”

Midtown Tunnel, oil on canvas, 38 x 60"

About his piece Midtown Tunnel, Nash explains, “The Midtown Tunnel isn’t necessarily glamorous, but it goes right into the heart of Manhattan, and this sign is its symbolic gateway. It’s so exciting to come out of those dark tunnels and into that intense urban environment.” The title of another work in the show, Manhattan Exit Only, pretty much says it all. Nash explains: “Manhattan is the main event and ‘exit only,’ to me, talks about a commitment that so many people have to Manhattan—the dreamers, the romantics, the risk-takers and those looking for fun and excitement. There is only one choice—Manhattan, exit only.”