October 22–November 28: Screening of Leonard Contino and Mark di Suvero: Brothers in Art

Stream the film by Williams Cole and Dirk Van Dall directly on this page throughout the duration of the gallery’s exhibition.

Leonard Contino and Mark di Suvero: Brothers in Art — A film by Williams Cole and Dirk Van Dall. Cinematographer: Edward Marritz. Sound: Peter Ginsburg. Camera Assistant: Greg Burns. Black and White photos: Danny Lyon. Music: Christopher Wilmarth.

The screening of Leonard Contino and Mark di Suvero: Brothers in Art coincides with Paula Cooper Gallery’s two-person exhibition of work by di Suvero and Contino at 521 West 21st Street. The presentation includes early sculptures by di Suvero, ranging from compact tabletop pieces to large-scale steel abstractions, alongside paintings and sculpture by Contino highlighting the self-taught artist’s keen manipulation of color and form. A new work by di Suvero is also on view in the gallery’s ground level vitrine space.

Artists and lifelong friends Mark di Suvero and Leonard Contino­ first met in 1960 at the Rusk Institute in New York City where both were patients. In 1959 at the age of nineteen, Contino was severely injured in a diving accident. Paralyzed from the shoulders down, he retained some mobility in his arms and hands, and needed to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. In 1960, di Suvero was involved in an accident while working at a construction site. Suffering a broken back and severe spinal injuries, he arrived at the Institute as a paraplegic. Contino: “The elevator opens up and there is this crazy guy in a red wheelchair […] And then he started drawing.” During his four-year recovery, di Suvero expanded on his artistic practice—learning to use an electric arc welder to produce small sculptures, some of which are included in the current exhibition. Through the encouragement of di Suvero, Contino turned to art as well, making drawings and eventually teaching himself to paint. “He brought me brushes, paint and canvases. He took me around and explained to me about art,” Contino explained, “He taught me without teaching, which is a good way to do that. He made me want to do it.”

Learn more about the exhibition here and schedule an appointment to visit the show here.