Gallery Alert: Rittenhouse Square Meal
In 2012, The New York Times reported that Philadelphia painter Mike Geno, widely recognized for his mouthwatering paintings of Di Bruno Brothers cheese, was “very poor and hungry” when he decided to channel his talent for still life into culinary art. Geno’s entry into still-life portraits of food ironically came when he didn’t know how to make ends meet; he just wanted something “to bite your teeth into.” Since then, portraits of cheese have been both his meal ticket and his namesake – until now.
From December 6th through January 5th, Metropolitan Gallery 250 will open the next “course” of Geno’s food portrait menu, with “Rittenhouse Square Meal,” Metropolitan Gallery 250’s latest foray in marrying food and art in Philadelphia. The show will feature paintings of specialties from three Rittenhouse Square culinary staples: Metropolitan Bakery, Zama, and Di Bruno Bros. Geno tasted and painted everything from Metropolitan cannele to Zama spicy crunchy tuna rolls to Cherry Grove’s “Lawrenceville Jack” (sold at Di Bruno’s), culminating in over 50 works of art (ranging in price from $50 – $1,000) that together, make a “Square Meal.” Prints of his work will also be sold.
In Geno’s statement about Rittenhouse Square Meal, he remarks:
“With paint, I aim to translate and recreate the seductiveness of food through texture, color and form. The specific beauty of unique artisanal cheeses, sculptural sushi rolls and the life sustaining breads have all been found in the rich community of Philadelphia, and more specifically along Rittenhouse Square. The Metropolitan Bakery was a valuable source for some of the most beautifully baked subjects easily translated into hunger-inducing images. Zama Restaurant, enthusiastically contributed support for another series of paintings. They offered some of the most jewel-like compositions of sushi found in the city. The seemingly infinite supply of the world’s best cheeses, found at Di Bruno Brothers, gave me access to an extensive source of inspiration and resulted in a series of cheese portraits. These culinary institutions expanded my understanding of the world through food. This exhibition celebrates their support as much as the art they produce that inspires mine.”
The exhibition will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. For a private showing, contact Jessie Harris at (215) 545-6655. For more information, visit www.blog.metropolitanbakery.