Now Representing Seth Becker
Gallery to Present Solo Exhibition of Becker’s Work at The Art Show, Coinciding with Release of Artist’s First Major Monograph
(New York, NY) – Venus Over Manhattan today announced its representation of artist Seth Becker. The gallery will present a solo exhibition of new work by the artist at The Art Show, hosted by the Art Dealers Association of America, from October 29th to November 2nd at the Park Avenue Armory. Titled Seth Becker: Paintings & Postcards, the presentation will feature a series of new paintings alongside a selection of real photo postcards from the artist’s personal collection.
This presentation coincides with the release of his first major monograph, Seth Becker: Chamber Music. Published by American Art Catalogues, the 250-page volume features over 200 paintings from the last eight years. Offering an intimate look into Becker’s evolving practice, the book includes several works that no longer exist, reflecting his unique process of reworking earlier paintings into new compositions. A focused presentation of older paintings featured in the book will coincide with the book launch at American Art Catalogues’ West Village space on October 25th and remain on view through December 6th.
“We are thrilled to welcome Seth Becker to Venus Over Manhattan,” said Adam Lindemann, founder of the gallery. “His ability to blur the lines between the familiar and the extraordinary invites viewers into richly imagined worlds. We are honored to represent him and support his practice.”
SOLO PRESENTATION AT THE ART SHOW
At The Art Show, Seth Becker: Paintings & Postcards features a series of new paintings exhibited alongside real photo postcards from Becker’s personal collection. Building upon imagery from his recent solo exhibition, A Boy’s Head, this presentation explores the generative relationship between Becker’s dual roles as artist and collector.
Rooted in the tradition of representational oil painting, Becker’s latest works continue his exploration of the territory between the familiar and the extraordinary. His expanding collection of real photo postcards—vernacular images of often surprising artistry made with early 20th-century cameras—has significantly influenced his practice. This exhibition highlights the synergy between Becker’s paintings and his fascination with found imagery, illustrating how his collecting has informed his painting practice.
Though the relationship between the postcards and the paintings is never direct, the postcards actively shape Becker’s visual vocabulary, providing architectural frameworks and narrative elements that inform his compositions. Offering a window into his search for the unexpected, the uncanny, and the beautifully unusual, this presentation explores the nature of image-making and collecting, viewing these two impulses as parallel processes of discovery and creation. Situated at the juncture of these interests, the exhibition underscores the relationship between the collector’s archival impulse and the artist’s creative drive.
SETH BECKER: CHAMBER MUSIC, PUBLISHED BY AMERICAN ART CATALOGUES
Venus Over Manhattan’s presentation at The Art Show is timed to coincide with the release of Seth Becker: Chamber Music, the artist’s first major monograph published by American Art Catalogues, assembling over 200 paintings from the past eight years. This 250-page volume offers an intimate look into Becker’s evolving practice and his deepening relationship to imagery. Developed in close collaboration with the artist, the book includes a short introduction and features paintings arranged into spreads by Becker himself. Notably, the monograph includes images of paintings that no longer exist, reflecting Becker’s iterative practice of repurposing older paintings as grounds for new compositions. Taken together, the volume highlights the artist’s commitment to exploration, wonderment, and reinvention in his practice.
In conjunction with the book’s release, several older paintings featured in the book will be on view at American Art Catalogues’ West Village space from October 25th through December 6th. The presentation will open to the public with a book launch and reception on Friday, October 25th, at 239 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014.
ABOUT SETH BECKER
Seth Becker was born in 1987 in New York. He received his BA from Marymount Manhattan College, his BFA from the New York Studio School, and his MLS from Queens College. His work has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions, including recent presentations at Venus Over Manhattan, New York; Pamela Salisbury Gallery, Hudson; and Castle Gallery, Los Angeles. Becker’s work frequently features in group exhibitions, including recent presentations at Karma, Thomaston; Lévy Gorvy Dayan, New York; Helena Anrather, New York; Cob Gallery, London; Sibyl Gallery, New Orleans; Pamela Salisbury Gallery, Hudson; Sykes Gallery, Millersville University; and the Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg. Becker lives and works in Newburgh, New York.
ABOUT VENUS OVER MANHATTAN
Venus Over Manhattan is dedicated to illuminating the work of a diverse range of historical and contemporary artists through dynamic rotating exhibitions and scholarly publications. Since it was founded by Adam Lindemann in 2012, the gallery has been responsible for revitalizing and establishing commercial, scholarly, and public interest for artists such as Peter Saul, Richard Mayhew, and Joan Brown. Operating from two locations on Great Jones Street, the gallery's distinct exhibitions program—which has recently featured works by Claude Lawrence, Peter Saul, Richard Mayhew, Chéri Samba, Keiichi Tanaami, and Joan Brown—attracts a broad spectrum of collectors, curators, writers, and art enthusiasts. As art world trends continue to shift, Venus Over Manhattan remains steadfast in its focus on discovering artists across generations, geographies, and cultures, and in expanding the recognition of artists celebrated across global institutions, by audiences, and within the art market.
For additional information, please contact the gallery at info@venusovermanhattan.com
EXHIBITION & PUBLICATION DETAILS
Seth Becker: Paintings & Postcards
Venus Over Manhattan at The Art Show
October 29 – November 2, 2024
Stand D4, The Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065
Seth Becker: Chamber Music
Book Launch & Presentation Opening
Friday, October 25th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
American Art Catalogues
239 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
Seth Becker: Chamber Music
Published by American Art Catalogues
Available Octoer 25th, 2024
48 pages; edition of 900
$ 50.00
PRESS CONTACT
Dan Duray
+1 (203) 520-0619
dan@nothingobstacle.com