Playwright/Filmmaker Michael Ricigliano Debuts Fine Art Exhibition at Lilac Gallery New York

Lilac Gallery New York presents "Motivational Expressionism" an exhibition of new works by Michael Ricigliano. A dynamic collection of abstract expressionistic paintings exploring storytelling on unique surfaces such as ceramic and marble, paired with inspirational quotes of bestselling author and motivational speaker Steve Maraboli.

The exhibition will be presented from December 6 to December 31, 2017 at Lilac Gallery New York (144 5th Ave #3l, New York, NY 10011).

Michael Ricigliano successfully balances two careers at once. In recent years he developed a career as an artist, writer, and film producer, while also still practicing law in Long Island, New York. He wrote and produced the feature length film, The Brooklyn Banker, directed by Federico Castelluccio, it stars Paul Sorvino, David Proval and Troy Garity. The Brooklyn Banker was released theatrically in 2016. Michael's play A Queen for a Day, directed by John Gould Rubin, had a very successful run on the New York stage at the Theater at Saint Clements on West 46th Street in 2015. His second play, Phelan House, is set to begin production in the summer of 2018 and will also be directed by John Gould Rubin.

Ricigliano finds that much like the world of film, painting plays a huge role in storytelling. He believes that a painting can reveal words, ideas, thoughts, and actions without the use of sound and moving picture. It is the stillness within the movement of paint that creates these stories and motivates us to challenge how a painting can communicate. By using abstracted, gestural lines, Ricigliano breathes a motivation into each piece, just as Jackson Pollock once said "It doesn't make much difference how the paint is put on as long as something has been said. Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement." Ricigliano borrows this concept and enamored this body of work with bold brushwork and dynamic colors executed on new media such as ceramic and marble. Steve Maraboli, as a behavioral scientist, will be incorporating brilliant quotes to empower the philosophy behind every piece, helping the viewer to understand its true beauty and power.

The exhibition will be curated by Federico Castelluccio. Castelluccio is a renown contemporary realist painter whose works have been exhibited throughout the US and Europe. His paintings are held in the most prestigious private and public collections, including Palazzo Chigi, Italy, Yale University Museum of Art, New haven, CT, Kresge Art Museum, East Lancing Michigan, and Tisch Fine Art Collection, NY. As an Actor Federico is best known for his role as the Neapolitan enforcer Furio Giunta in the HBO hit series, "The Sopranos."

As the Guest Curator Federico Castelluccio explains "In a short amount of time Michael Ricigliano has made a mark on the world stage as a professional screenwriter, film producer, playwright and now has taken the ultimate leap in the visual arts arena, baring his soul as a passionate abstract painter. His inaugural exhibition will feature more than a dozen new acrylic paintings on canvas, marble, and ceramic, which began from an inspiration and a deep desire to create his own singular language in abstract art. A self-taught artist, Michael has developed a solid technique that explores the rhythm of movement and harmony of color, conveying visually balanced and pleasing compositions that are psychologically sophisticated and thought provoking. There is a depth and energy to these paintings that is immediately evident when viewing them in person, which will also feature a collaboration of inspiring quotes by the renown motivational speaker Steve Maraboli".

Steve Maraboli has electrified, inspired, and entertained a wide range of audiences in over 30 countries with his unique style of bridging cutting edge Behavioral Science, proven Business Methodologies, Humor, UNFORGETTABLE stories, and Social Insights. Lending his popular voice to various topics, Steve's books, quotes, videos, and memes have become a social media sensation; being shared by millions across the globe in more than 25 languages.

MOTIVATIONAL EXPRESSIONISM

By Michael Ricigliano

December 6 - 31, 2017

Lilac Gallery New York is located at 144 5th Ave #3l, New York, NY 10011

Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 11am - 7pm & Weekends upon request

www.lilacgallerynyc.com