“ON A SHORT LEASH”: This acrylic painting is featured in “Charles David Viera: Selected Works 2006-2025,” on view January 24 to March 30 at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. An opening reception is on January 25 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Trenton City Museum at the Ellarslie will present “Charles David Viera: Selected Works 2006-2025,” on view January 24 to March 30. The exhibition will feature works selected by Joan Perkes and Janis Purcell from Viera’s paintings and drawings created from 2006 to the present. The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, January 25 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The artworks chosen include a variety of paintings and pastel drawings from this versatile artist,  some of which have never been exhibited locally before and several acquired from personal collections.

“When looking at the artworks selected by the curators of this exhibition, it occurs to me that much of my work has to do with some level of tension,” said Viera. “All of these paintings contain a narrative element that touches on the psychological, emotional, and physical tension that can occur between men and women, but also the apprehension that is suggested between predator and prey or whoever is on the end of a leash.

“In most cases the viewer is often left with a ‘What happens next?’ fascination. There is a personal story here that goes beyond the image with some recurring themes such as the wonder and beauty that women bring to this life has them portrayed in full color in a black and white world. The dog on the leash is always held by a woman‘s hand. Substitute men as the canines and there is social commentary to be had. Many paintings and drawings include a fox. What role does it play in this two dimensional theater? I have my own ideas as to what the paintings are about but I often choose not to share that as I like to  leave those stories to the viewer’s imagination.”

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is located at 299 Parkside Avenue in Cadwalader Park, Trenton. Museum hours are Thursday through Saturday 12 to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 3 p.m. or more information, visit ellarslie.org or charlesdavidviera.com.