Press Releases

On view from April 20 – May 24, 2006 at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, Garden Paradise includes both established and emerging artists exploring the idea of garden as paradise: sheltered and lusciously beautiful botanic spaces. For Garden Paradise, 18 artists worked in a variety of media. They include LC Armstrong, Jennifer Bartlett, Larissa Bates, Cecily Brown, Elisabeth Condon, Gregory Crewdson, Ele D’Artagnan, Julie Evans, Sally Gall, JJ Garfinkel, Paula Hayes, Susan Homer, Joan Mitchell, Roxy Paine, Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison, Elizabeth Peyton, Edwina Sandys, and Donald Sultan.

In this exhibition the theme of paradise spans from the depictions of ancient walled gardens and biblical Edens to more contemporary concerns about ecology and endangered natural resources. Gardens appear as sanctuaries—literal, imagined, sacred, and profane—as played out in various cultures, traditions and historical ideas. Often there is a hint of darkness, a threat – like the snake in Eden. But the attraction of these lush, magnificent green spaces is powerful and undeniable.

Garden Paradise was curated by Lacy Davisson Doyle and Clare Weiss. The exhibition is supported by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, wildlife, New York City parks, and park history. It is located on the third floor of the NYC Parks & Recreation headquarters, in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64^th Street. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.