The Ritz Herald
Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg, also known as the Hilton Brothers. © Jeffrey Cloutier

Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg Announced as New Curators for Forest Hall Studios


Curators will showcase pop art icon Andy Warhol and internationally known artists featured in Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art, to reclaim Milford, PA's artistic and environmental legacy

Published on July 10, 2023

Forest Hall Studios, located at historic Forest Hall of Milford, announces curators Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg of its art exhibition showcase features. To prepare the landmark venue, interior updates and renovations are underway for the return of “Andy in Nature” and the reveal of Hunt Slonem, Bruce Denhert, and Vincent Caruso.

Artists Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg, aka the “Hilton Brothers,” join forces to create beautiful public art exhibitions in the town of Milford, a place they have fallen in love with. Makos, called by Andy Warhol “the most modern photographer in America,” is known for his portraits of Andy Warhol and the cultural pillars of the ’70s and ’80s. Solberg is known for his renowned military “Service” portraits and monumental flower portraits. “Paul’s images evoke bygone eras while remaining fresh and immediate”-Sir Elton John. Both artists, based in Manhattan, exhibited their works individually and as a duo in museums and international institutions.

Makos and Solberg’s curatorial plans include the following exhibitions:

“Andy in Nature” artists: Christopher Makos + Paul Solberg
Returning, Andy in Nature, will run July 8 – September 3, 2023—a rare glimpse of two contrasting and connected bodies of 36 artworks between the two artists. Makos’s pictures of Warhol “outside” in locations such as Colorado, seaside New England, and Montauk. Contrasting are the oxygen-fueled monumental flower portraits of Solberg, a nod to Warhol’s work with flowers.

Followers of the famed pop art icon can visit Forest Hall Studios, less than two hours from New York City. Andy in Nature merchandise will be available for purchase.

“Wildlife” artist: Hunt Slonem
On September 23, 2023, “Wildlife” by Hunt Slonem will be unveiled. Slonem, a renowned Neo-Expressionist, with work in the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney, Miro Foundation, and New Orleans Museum of Art, is known for his depiction of bunnies and butterflies, revealing natures reocurring wonder.

“Alula” artist: Bruce Denhert
Fulbright Award selector Bruce Dehnert is an internationally known ceramist, founder, and educator of Sugar Mapes Center for Creative Arts in Maplecrest, NY. Denhert is an author of works displayed in numerous national and international collections from North America to New Zealand. “Alula” is a unique installation made especially for Forest Hall. As Denhert says, “It’s the architecture of impulsive cuts to the left when I know it’s not right… following nature’s intuition, rather than mine.”

“Shadows” artist Vincent Caruso
A new addition to the hall will be “Shadows” by Vincent Caruso, on display July 22, 2023. The most intimate of the three shows, Caruso’s youthful curiosity will showcase engaging visual effects exploring the mystery between light and dark. Caruso is a third-generation New York-based photographer, was shaped by a vibrant upbringing in the arts and entertainment scene. His inherent fascination with the aesthetic charm of photography was only amplified under the tutelage of his father, Phillip V. Caruso, a distinguished photographer in the motion picture industry, who instilled in him an array of technical and artistic photographic skills. In the summer of 2022, Vincent unveiled his first public exhibition. The focal point of the debut was his ‘Long Shadows’ series, a collection that underscores the significance of shadows in the photographic art form. Guided by mentorships within the art community, Vincent carves a distinctive path in photography, marked by thematic consistency and stylistic precision. His ‘Shadows’ series is a testament to a profound understanding of the delicate balance between light and shadow. This journey echoes photography’s historic essence, offering fresh insight into this timeless dynamic. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Marist College.

Admission to Forest Hall Studios exhibition is complimentary. Exhibit Hours: Saturdays 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm and Sundays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

The hall will house “The Store” at the entry-level, where merchandise can be purchased.

Senior Writer