| Marilyn Church Frank Bernarducci and Louis K. Meisel are pleased to announce the exhibition of original courtroom drawings by Marilyn Church in conjunction with the publication of her book “The Art of Justice; An Eyewitness View of Thirty Infamous Trials.” On view are many captivating charcoal and pastel drawings that serve as eyewitness accounts to momentous trials of the 20th and 21st centuries. Scenes from the Robert Chambers “Preppie Murder” trial, the O.J. Simpson, and Martha Stewart trials, and others, all come together in this fascinating and unique exhibition. Marilyn Church’s career took off in 1974 when she was slated as a courtroom artist for the Watergate trial. Since then, she has covered many important cases, producing drawings that capture the drama, intensity, and human emotion that fill the courtroom scene. A drawing from the “Central Park Jogger” trial of 1990, for example, depicts the reactions of the jury to the horrific evidence photographs. One jury member covers his entire face with his hands while another sits with his head bowed, hands over his eyes. In another instance, from the “Sean Puffy Combs” trial of 2001, Church captures the dramatic moment when a witness stands and throws her hands in the air while describing a chaotic scene in a nightclub. Another unique aspect of Church’s work is her ability to encapsulate the character and personalities of the figures represented in her drawings. An illustration from the 1992 trial of the United States vs. John Gotti and Frank Locascio depicts Gotti in a manner suggestive of his power and authority. He stands, dressed in an expensive suit among a host of admirers, arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face. These infamous personalities are deftly conveyed, along with the drama and energy that permeates the courtroom scene, bringing Church’s drawings to life. Marilyn Church studied at the Pratt Institute and completed graduate work at Indiana University. She has also received a background as a fashion illustrator. -- This exhibit remains on view through Friday, May 26, 2006. For further information and images of works from the exhibition, please contact
or Holly Cairns at 212-593-3757. |