Pinky Swear, the Lower East Side’s art-forward cocktail lounge, hosted an exclusive opening showcase designed to connect art enthusiasts with the vibrant New York art community.
The event featured 7 artists, showcasing explorations in the salvaged, the distorted and the reimagined.
Discovering New Art and Community Connections: Anchoring the exhibition was Qinza Najm, the Pakistani-American artist who moves fluidly between painting, sculpture, installation and performance.
“At its core, my work is about our capacity for transformation, generosity and acceptance,” said Qinza Najm, featured artist. “I intend to generate a discussion about the obligations and responsibilities of belonging and the risk of reinforcing stereotypes during the process of challenging them.”
Working between New York and Lahore, Najm turns everyday materials into immersive experiences that interrogate identity, power and the body, with a particular eye toward the lives of women and immigrants. She has exhibited internationally and collaborated with the Queens Museum, Christie’s, Art Basel and the Museum of the Moving Image and trained at Bath University and the Art Students League of New York.
Joining her was Daniel Kramer, The Visceral Glitch, a Brooklyn-based AR artist whose augmented-reality photography treats distortion as a form of healing, merging technology, spirit and story. His work has surfaced in New York, Paris, Miami, Denver, Mexico City and Tokyo.
Also on view was Conrad Stojak, a self-described “street ingénieur” who has spent over a decade up-cycling forgotten New York artifacts, such as defunct parking meters, old ATMs and amusement rides into pieces that blur the line between mechanics and magic.
The show also featured work by David Cochrane, Morgan Munson, Uriah Murray and Chris Ayala.
An Evening of Art and Hospitality: Beyond the visual feast, Pinky Swear is enhancing the event experience with a focus on hospitality. Attendees who RSVP’d were provided with complimentary wine, complementing the artistic atmosphere. The evening also featured an array of amazing and creative contemporary American food, alongside highly-acclaimed and well-versed cocktail menu. This blend of art, culinary delights and community interaction promises an engaging and memorable experience.
The opening showcase took place on Friday, June 19, with the artists present to discuss their work. This event was tailored for art patrons, artists, new media, including bloggers, podcasters and influencers, aiming to drive traffic and revenue by highlighting the unique cultural contributions of the New York art scene.
Artwork on display through September 17. Pinky Swear is located at 171A Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002.
Pinky Swear is a cocktail lounge and art space on the Lower East Side, home to rotating exhibitions and interactive installations. Learn more at pinkyswearnyc.com.
