Grunion Gazette Review Oct. 2003

By Jordan Weinstein Gazette Art Critic

ÒBordellos and BoudoirsÓ is a beautifully conceived and executed two-woman show on display at Icaro Gallery in Bixby Knolls.
This show consistsof paintings by Margie Darrow-Stretz, and photographsby Liezel Rubin all under the theme of the worldÕs
oldest profession. Darrow-StretzÕs and RubinÕs works not only lend themselves to one another in this show,
they absolutely complement each other. Inspired by French boudoir postcards of the 1920s
and Õ30s, both artists picked up the ball and ran in separate but equally important directions.
The paintings by Darrow-Stretz provide a more literal translation
of the postcards, interweaving two of the major art movements and the general aesthetic of the era.
The photographs by Rubin showcase a more modern view of the theme Ñ photographs of trans-gendered prostitutes,
male and female porn stars and celebrity fetish models. On opposing walls, the two bodies of work seem to
almost debate one another Ñ sensuality vs. sexuality.
While Darrow-StretzÕs paintings expose the subjects in an extraordinarily beautiful effeminate manner employing rounded
line work in a fantastical Art Nouveu manner (set in expansive cubist backgrounds),
RubinÕs photographs encapsulate a much more harsh, hard-edged view into the lives of these professionals.

RubinÕs photographs are so provocative and in your face that they become almost difficult to endure.
Photography as an art medium requires the artist to go beyond the physical limitations
of the instrument, and justify itself almost exclusively by the image a particular moment presents.
Rubin passes this test with flying colors. Looking at the physical evidence of these moments, the perspective viewer
could walk away with either a feeling of compassion or disgust.
By the look of Darrow-StretzÕs paintings, it is difficult to believe she is a self-taught painter three years in the making.
Working as a commercialartist illustrating childrenÕs books, the artist says she hopes to transition
into full-time painting, and with a body of work as compelling as hers is, itÕs hard to believe she wonÕt get there.

Rubin is a 23-year veteran of photography (and a graduate of California State University, Long Beach)
with an extensive exhibition history, and with photographs on a par with her influences
(David La Chappelle, Diane Arbus and Robert Mapplethorpe),
I believe her to be well on her way. Both artists have priced their work at extremely reasonable rates ($400-$800),
and it would shock me if the show doesnÕt sell out by its closing date of Dec. 13.
The gallery itself was immaculate. It was a pleasure to view fine art in a truly
professional space. Meticulously curated, the show was beyond easy to navigate through,
each work of art directing the viewer to another.

Located at 4258 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach, Icaro Gallery is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information, call 427-4258 or visit www.Icarogallery.com.