New York City. Fred Torres Collaborations is proud to present “Gretchen Ryan: Cheers In Heaven”, on view through January 7th 2012. “Cheers in heaven” will feature new paintings, drawings and photographs by the Los Angeles based artist. This is Ryan’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. Gretchen Ryan creates portraits of young girls–often beauty pageant contestants. Many of the girls Ryan has followed over the years have transitioned from the pageant circuit to competitive cheerleading, inspiring Ryan to move in this new direction. Inspired by Baroque illusionistic ceiling painting, mythological, and spiritual themes, Ryan set eleven girls within a photo shoot utilizing smoke machines, lighting, and fans to create the effect of placing them in the “Heavens.” Ryan’s idea was to literally elevate the girls as if seen from the earth below. The resulting photographs, such as Three Graces, are dramatic visions in which the girls show off their routines, expressing their confidence and skills, but also their vulnerability and mutual support. In other works, like “The Messenger”, Ryan transforms the photographs into the realist paintings and drawings for which she is known. Throughout these works Ryan explores notions of innocent beauty, as well as the objectification and precocious sexuality that sometimes accompanies such competitions.