203 Art Space Black White Color Beyond the Gray

Building on his previous exhibit In Living Color, artist and curator Jean Benoit recently opened Black White Color: Beyond the Gray at the 203 Art Space on the 5th floor of the Stamford Town Center, transforming a former Claire’s store into an art gallery. Added to the mix of vibrantly colored abstracts, portraits, and landscapes by a group of talented, multi-disciplinary artists are black and white works of art including photography and the oil paintings featuring musicians, dancers, and celebrities created by Jean himself.

Many of Jean’s paintings were previously located in the back of the gallery in little cubicles that were former dressing rooms. Now they have made their way to the front! Jean is very adept at painting energetic abstracts, neorealist portraits of animals and people, and dancers and musicians with elegant elongated limbs.

Justin P. Vega channels Prince and celebrity nightlife rendered in the contemporary style. I have noticed another well-known contemporary artist paint very similar eyes in her artwork, where they stare directly at the viewer. My favorite visual element is the Doberman who also has “those sultry eyes.” The vintage nightclub scenery is nostalgic, and I feel as if I am sitting on the luxe couch!