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An Eco-Friendly Transformation in New Rochelle

Artists using ecological methods to create various forms of art work showcased their work at the transFORM Art Gallery in New Rochelle.

Artists gathered in the transFORM Art Gallery in New Rochelle Thursday to display works that used eco-friendly methods in an exhibit called Re-Imagining Past Possessions: Works of Recycled Materials.

“It’s all about saving our planet,” said Lisa Cooper, owner of Elisa Contemporary Art in Riverdale. “It’s very exciting to display the artists’ work.”

Cooper founded Elisa Contemporary Art in 2007 to promote and share art. The gallery supports organizations such as Free Arts NYC and Arts to Grow and sponsored the exhibition at the transFORM Art Gallery.

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The exhibit showcased artwork from recycled and reused materials ranging from magazines to scrap metal. 

In its 3,000-square-foot area, the gallery hosted roughly 30 pieces that ran the gamut from canvases to welded sculptures available for purchase. The five featured artists had diverse backgrounds and were from as far away as Chile and as close as New York. 

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The prices varied from $1,000 for the smaller pieces to about $12,000 for the larger pieces.

One of the artists who were being showcased was Lisa Mee.

“I love the unexpected,” she said. “I like it when it takes you a minute or two to notice what the painting actually is.” 

Most of her works were floral designs on canvas using recycled papers and plastic. She started her current work back in 2003 when her husband got her back into painting.

“I can do a piece in a day if I’m uninterrupted,” Mee said, “but it generally takes two to three days.”

Another artist was Carol Eisner. Originally from the Bronx, she started welding when she moved to Connecticut. 

“It’s great fun, I love it a lot,” Eisner said.

She also said that she gets most of her work from the local scrapyards and that the welding process in itself is relatively easy.

“Once the idea pops into your head, the hardest part is out of the way,” Eisner said.

She also stated that she has created 20-foot pieces that are on display in public parks and in universities such as Syracuse.

Artist Adriana Rostovsky was born in Uruguay, and she said that her art is inspired by conservation within her family. 

“My garbage is my treasure,” she said.

Rostovsky said that she likes to use scraps and recycled materials because they have some sort of history behind them.

“I believe in the energy of the artwork I create,” she said. “I try to give each piece a story.”

The transFORM Art Gallery is primarily used to showcase local artists and organizations to promote and share their work. The display runs through June 1. The gallery is located at 20 Jones Street.

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