A B O U T

BLT Gallery opened in January 2009 in a newly renovated 2,000 square foot space on the Bowery, the nucleus of art and culture in 21st century New York. Founded by Billy Lee Thompson, a prolific collector of art across the ages, the gallery will present art of the last thirty years free from the constraints of the often overheated market. The exhibition program will serve to initiate dialogue on the continually shifting role of the art object in the new millenium, both in and out of the gallery environment.

Although the gallery's focus will remain on mid-career and established artists, it will occasionally show work from emerging talent whose artistic philosophies align with the tenets of the unique exhibition program.

The inaugural exhibition will feature new paintings and drawings from celebrated artist Jan Frank. "Kissinger and the Ladies" will be on view from January 15 – March 8, 2009.

For further information, please contact the gallery.

"I think of those two beautiful paintings by Milton Resnick at Cheim & Read, or 'The Burial of St. Lucy' by Caravaggio in Syracuse, or the Dan Flavin installation at Grand Central Station, or Norman Bluhms Monolithic Paintings at ACE in New York. Nor will I ever forget walking over Vitto Acconci's Masturbation Platform Piece."

- BLT, New York 2009

Recently I came across Martha Swhwendlers piece in the Voice (thank you), Canvasing the Neighborhood/Village Voice/. I saw the next at BLT, a gallery that shows older, under-recognized artists.?

I am interested in showing any art that fits our program, whatever age.

Thirty years ago I got into a verbal fencing match with Barbra Rose about not showing an artist until they turned 30, today I am almost inclined to agree with her. In doing Wiser than God, I have taken in some of the vibrancy of these 84+year old(young) artists and their work.

This artworld has to make a shift, it does not have to be inriched with money or "the new", let it rest on it's history (art), look at it's depth and quality, the possibility of ownership of the real, not a speculation.

I personally feel that we are still working out of the 50's and should look at Barney Newman."

- Billy Lee Thompson, Amsterdam May 2009