PRESS RELEASE
Primary is proud to present Good Company, a solo exhibition of new works by the New York-based artist Piero Penizzotto. Opening on October 19, 2024, this exhibition marks Penizzotto's first solo with the gallery and will be on view through November 16, 2024.
There is a wholeness, a sense of everything in regards to your found family: your chosen clan, your kith. The friends you had when you were twelve, "till the wheels fall off, till the wheels don't spin" kind of kin; your day ones; your ride or dies; they are the dirt underneath your nails; those kindred spirits; a love without wings; your last hope; es mi llave y mi pana, compinche. Indeed.
It is in this spirit that we introduce you to the deeply personal work of Piero Penizzotto. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Piero found support and a sense of belonging within a chosen family—his friends. This experience shaped his understanding, highlighting the profound role of community in his life.
"I believe that friendships, particularly those formed out of necessity and shared cultural experiences, deserve to be examined through a lens of depth and reverence. My friendships, rooted in the vibrant tapestry of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures in South Florida, taught me that these bonds transcend cultural boundaries, reflecting our collective identity. With my work, I explore the undercurrent of these relationships—connections often overlooked or undervalued compared to familial or romantic bonds."
Penizzotto evokes the intimacy of shared memory through a presentation of vivid figuration; life-sized paper-mache sculptures, snap shots of and stories about his lifelong cohorts. The work invites viewers to reflect on their relationships—who they surround themselves with and the energy they seek to cultivate.
Ultimately, Piero is "giving people their flowers while they're still here"—recognizing the sincere impact of both mortality and fraternity. "The camaraderie forged is a sanctuary where vulnerabilities find solace, laughter resonates in harmony, and life's trials are navigated collectively. Within the unassuming realm of brotherhood among friends, we find an irreplaceable mosaic of empathy, trust, and mutual growth—a connection that I believe warrants recognition."
Opens October 19, 2024 at 5 PM
On view until November 16, 2024.
About the Artist:
Piero Penizzotto (b. 1998, Queens, NY) is a Peruvian-American artist born and based in Queens, NY. Penizzotto’s sculptural practice is presented as an ode to the friendships and communities he is a part of growing up in New York and South Florida. He recently graduated from Hunter College with honors with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art. Previous exhibitions include White Columns, New York (2023) and Public Access Gallery, New York (2022).
Primary (Est. 2007) is a context and research-driven curatorial collective with a focus on public art. We thrive amongst the self-taught, working-class misfits, who explore the margins of a new Americana through pungent, human-focused narratives. Our work engages with the raw and uncanny, celebrating fringe voices, bootleg culture, and intergenerational commentary while connecting new voices in contemporary art with broader audiences and evolving collections.
For further information, please contact info@thisisprimary.com
