Assemblage and mixed media artist Robert Villamagna will present his newest body of work at Gallery on 43rd Street in Lawrenceville, September 12 through October 31, 2008. This exhibition, titled Estano Luchador (Tin Wrestler), will consist of new work based on a variety of subject matter including Mexican wrestling masks, mobile homes and stories suggested by the materials themselves.

And what are those materials that Villamagna uses? “Deconstructed tin containers, broken toys, old photographs, baby doll parts…. If it holds still long enough for me to nail down or glue down, I am probably going to use it,” says Villamagna. Villamagna has been using a lot of printed metal in his work the past few years. “I deconstruct metal product containers, flatten them out and create a color palette using the various colors and textures.” His first piece made from tin cans was in the Associated Artists exhibition at the Carnegie a few years ago. “It was a huge bra and now it hangs in our living room.”

Villamagna whose home and studio are in Wheeling, WV has been working in assemblage (an artistic process in which three-dimensional compositions are created using found objects) and mixed-media for over 20 years. “I spent most of my young life drawing, then moved towards watercolor in my 30s and while I still like to play with watercolor on occasion, assemblage is my first love art-wise. I especially like materials that show use, wear, rust. When I am placing these things in my work I cannot help but think about the people who made them or used them.”

The opening reception for the exhibition, Estano Luchador will be 7 to 10 pm, September 12, 2008 at Gallery on 43rd Street, 187 43rd St. in Lawrenceville. For more information please call Mary Coleman at 412-683-6488.