Immediate Release
March 2025
Bridgette Mayer Gallery
t: 215-413-8893
e: bmayer@bmayerart.com
www.bridgettemayergallery.com
Bridgette Mayer Gallery Presents:
Asam Boi, a solo exhibition by Nigel Sense
April 1 – May 24, 2025
Artist Reception & Happy Hour: Friday, April 11th, 5:00 – 7:30pm
In the Vault: Mark Stockton
Philadelphia, PA – March 12, 2025. Bridgette Mayer Gallery is delighted to announce Asam Boi, an exhibition by gallery artist Nigel Sense and his first solo exhibition with the gallery. The exhibition will feature 18 new colorful and energetic paintings inspired by Sense’s travels and residence abroad in Malaysia. The title of the exhibition refers to a Malaysian drink known for its a vibrant and complex flavor, serving as a metaphor for Sense’s art by celebrating the layered, unexpected joys of travel, art and love. In addition, the Vault will feature a multi-panel triptych of drawings by Philadelphia based artist, Mark Stockton in an exhibition titled G.L.R. (George/Lincoln/Rockwell). Asam Boi and G.L.R. (George/Lincoln/Rockwell) will be on view from Tuesday, April 1 to Saturday, May 24 at Bridgette Mayer Gallery. On Friday, April 11th, there will be a reception & happy hour from 5:00 – 7:30pm at the gallery.
Influenced by American abstract expressionists and pop artists of the 1960’s, Sense focuses on time spent away from the studio in finding inspiration his work. He calls this, “going fishing,” in which he purposely gets lost and collects everyday imagery and fragmented conversations. From there, Sense creates digital sketches of these experiences and then translates them onto the canvas. When he paints it is intuitive, fast, and he embraces imperfection. On the meaning of his work, Sense states:
These paintings dig beneath the gloss, where the truth flickers and burns. They catch that split-second when the mask slips, the performance collapses, and what’s left is wild, messy, and impossibly beautiful—the kind of joy that doesn’t need to be staged…
…“Asam Boi” is a wild, joyful howl into the void — a celebration of life’s flaws, missteps, and beautiful chaos. It’s about finding beauty not in perfection, but in the messy, unpolished reality of life.
About Nigel Sense:
(b. 1975) is a Wollongong-born Australian artist, whose keen interest in travel and discovery informs his idiosyncratic style and nomadic nature. Nigel draws inspiration from American abstract expressionists and 1960s Pop Artists in his colorful abstract paintings, commenting on and exploring the human condition. His instinctive process, capturing the immediacy of daily life, engages viewers with vibrant colors and a playful spirit. Nigel has exhibited his work in numerous solo and group shows throughout Australia and in Sri Lanka, including exhibitions at the Colombo Art Biennale in Sri Lanka, Sydney Contemporary, Salon De Refuses, and the National Centre of Contemporary Art (NCCA) in Darwin.
In the Vault:
In the Gallery’s Vault space, artist Mark Stockton showcases a montage of hand-drawn panels based on existing visual ephemera depicting George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Normal Rockwell. Stockton uses this historical imagery and symbols to unveil an obverse side of American history in this exhibition titled G.L.R. (George/Lincoln/Rockwell). Stockton states:
The combined drawing of G.L.R. questions the dual nature of constructed imagery as a scaffold for depicting social and racial injustice. Through the process of researching, revealing and redrawing this photographic material, I am challenging an inherently individualistic concept of American identity. As nostalgic iconography, these depictions can be viewed as relics of an idealized history. My drawings look further into these constructs, revealing complexities that parallel systemic issues of representation and oppression.
Mark Stockton is a Philadelphia-based artist. His drawings have been shown both nationally and internationally with exhibitions in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Beijing. Originally from the West Coast, he received his BFA from Oregon State University in 1996 and his MFA in Painting and Drawing from Syracuse University in 2000. Since 2009, Mark has worked with the independent arts organization Vox Populi as both a contributing artist and as a board member. His work is in many private and public collections, including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the West Collection. He currently teaches design and drawing at Drexel University. He lives in Philly with his wife Cindy, his two kids—Otto and Iona, and his dog—Elsie. His most recent works and projects can be found at mtstockton.com
Exhibition information: Asam Boi and G.L.R (George/Lincoln/Rockwell) will be on view from Tuesday, April 1 to Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Bridgette Mayer Gallery. On Friday, April 11th, Bridgette Mayer Gallery will host an Artist Reception & Happy Hour from 5:00 to 7:30pm.
Gallery information: Bridgette Mayer Gallery is free and open to the public. We are located at 709 Walnut Street, 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm.
For more information, please contact Emma McHold-Buke at: eburke@bmayerart.com.
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