View/purchase artwork from Here Today, Gone Tomorrow:
HERE

View/purchase artwork from Slang Isolate:
HERE

Paradigm Gallery is pleased to present two new solo exhibitions: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow by sculptor Drew Leshko and Slang Isolate by multidisciplinary artist Jaime Molina. Leshko and Molina will share the Paradigm space from November 19 - December 12, 2021 with an opening reception on Friday, November 19 from 5:30 - 8pm.

Drew Leshko’s exhibition continues his extensive exploration of Philadelphia architecture. For over a decade, he has created realistic miniature sculptures of paper and wood that archive, celebrate, and at times mourn the changing urban landscape in Philly, tackling questions of gentrification and historical record-keeping. In Here Today, Gone Tomorrow he presents new pieces elaborating on this theme, with an emphasis on documenting the unique character of his current neighborhood, Fishtown. The pieces, which will include representations of freestanding and hanging signs from around the area, will all be wall-mounted with a simple and minimal display. The show will also include an installation element of telephone lines made of distressed wood, wire, brads, and nails, stretching across an entire wall of the gallery. The installation will extend the world of the artwork into the physical space in new and dynamic ways. Leshko’s newest pieces continue to anchor our feelings and memories about our surroundings, even while they’re still around us.

For Jaime Molina’s debut exhibition at Paradigm Gallery, the Denver-based artist combines studies on paper, prints, and paintings on wood and canvas, and sculptural works, including small nail-head pieces installed on 3D bases. In his paintings, he combines abstract shapes with figurative renderings of faces accented with rich colors. His work is inspired by questions around language and culture — and how they evolve over time. The title, Slang Isolate, comes from the concept of “language isolate,” or a language that exists independently from any others. Molina was inspired by an archaic form of Spanish spoken in the area of New Mexico where his family has lived for generations; With the influence of various indigenous languages and the arrival of English, the resulting language took on a distinct character unlike any other. Molina’s evolution of the idea to “slang isolate” refers to the unique ways in which small groups of people learn to communicate comfortably among friends or family. During the pandemic, when social isolation intensified, these individualized, stylized ways of thinking and speaking were amplified. Molina also draws inspiration from religious folk art from his childhood, using his art to create beautiful, imaginary worlds.

About Drew Leshko
Drew Leshko is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based artist. By carving, cutting, and layering varieties of paper and wood, Leshko creates documentary studies of architecture from his neighborhood in an attempt to create a three-dimensional archive of buildings that are in transitional periods. The work examines gentrification and history, how historical relevance is determined, and most importantly, what is worth preserving. Working from observation and photographs, the artist painstakingly recreates building facades from his neighborhood at a 1:12 scale. The scale is familiar for some viewers as standard dollhouse spec; the treatment to the buildings is widely different. The minute detail of his work includes city detritus such as dumpsters and pallets, which are commentary of the same ideas of what is worth preserving. Highlighting quick fixes and simple solutions, Leshko’s work begs the viewer to build their own ideas of why and when these changes had been made. Accumulations of typically overlooked details and minutiae like acid rain deposits and rust become beautiful adornments.

About Jaime Molina
Jaime Molina is a multi-disciplinary artist based in the Denver area. Molina has used a unique blend of folk art and his cultural heritage to create an entire world, which he calls Cuttytown, inhabited by the characters found in his artwork. These pieces are based largely on his family and friends, however, represent a more global human condition. His folk art-inspired works of art range from small sculptural pieces carved from champagne corks, to intricate assemblages made of nails and wood, to large-scale murals. He has shown work and created murals nationally and internationally as well as had installations at the Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver and most recently an installation in the new Meow Wolf exhibition in Denver.

About Paradigm Gallery
Paradigm Gallery + Studio® was established in 2010 by co-founders and curators, Jason Chen and Sara McCorriston. The gallery exhibits meaningful, process-intense contemporary artwork from around the world. Now open 11 years, Paradigm Gallery is globally recognized and known as a tastemaker within their greater Philadelphia arts community. As the gallery grows, it maintains its original mission to keep art accessible. Through monthly donations, free public art installations, and initiatives like Insider Picks, Paradigm Gallery continues to be a champion of small businesses and emerging and mid-career artists.

Location: 746 S 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Media Contact: Lainya Magaña, A&O PR | 347.395.4155 | lainya@aopublic.com