The Gallery at The Marmara-Manhattan is pleased to announce an extraordinary exhibition of sculpture by Barbara Lekberg and paintings by Elliot Gordon. Inspiration for Barbara Lekberg sculpture comes from a variety of sources in her life. Music, dance, news photography, literature and even science have all been important in the development of her work.

Her recent sculptures exist in a realm that crosses the conscious and the unconscious. If there is a passing resemblance to Surrealism, well Lekberg would have to agree, " When I began, I felt close to German Expressionism and my work was strongly gestural, with emotionally impelled movement. Now I feel kinship with the Surrealists; Duchamp, Max Ernst, de Chirac, Giacometti. Movement now is more internal; more about states of mind and being as figures relate to each other and the environment that surrounds them"

Her welded steel and bronze sculptures can be found in many private and public collections across the United States including the Whitney Museum of American Art and The National Academy of Design in New York to name just a few. She has exhibited in solo shows at the Museum of Fine Arts in Colombia, South Carolina; The Sculpture Center, New York; The Museum of Fine Arts Birmingham, Alabama; The Glass Gallery, Toronto; among other.

She has exhibited in group shows at MOMA, The Whitney Museum and other venues here or abroad. Lekberg is the recipient of two Guggenheim Fellowships a grant from the Institute of Arts and Letters, and another grant from The Richard Florsham Art Foundation. She also won the Salts gold medal from The National Academy of Design in 1990 and gold from the National Sculpture Society 1991.

Using vivid colors and imperative style, ELLIOT GORDON paints non-naturalistic realities that are expressed through interior and still life setting. Doors and windows are used as currencies to unlock secrets. "The manner in which my subjects are presented gives voice to impressions originating from my self conscious. Said Gordon. "We are always familiar with what we visualize, but my imagery alters concepts of reality, challenging viewers to wonder, ask questions and substantiate their own reality. The organic shapes ground us and keep us in the moment. The symbiotic relationships among all the components in my paintings complement each other yet have a life of their own."

Elliot Gordon studied painting at the Art Students League and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, in Florance, Italy and in Paris, France. Mr. Gordon recently completed his solo exhibition Jadite Gallery in New York. Mr. Gordon feels inspired by Cezanne, Van Gogh and Morandi to name a few. They have jettisoned him to his own part of innovation - expression.