Five New York women are making strides and creating statements, and no, this isn’t “Sex and The City.”
Monday evening, the Ewing Gallery of Art and Architecture opened “Color Refined,” an art exhibit showcasing the abstract work of color, light and shapes featuring artists Rachel Beach, Siri Berg, Gabriele Evertz, Beatrice Riese and Rella Stuart-Hunt.
Upon first entering, guests are greeted by a bright, wide-open space and a large oil canvas piece that brings a sense of warmth to the viewer. As the first piece encountered stepping inside, it certainly catches the eye. The work is untitled, but was made in 1969 by Riese. All pieces were created over the life spans of these artists, so dates of completion range from the early ’90s to 2014. Viewers have a chance to see classic pieces and new work by these prominent New York artists, who were present Monday to explain and answer questions regarding their art.
The show includes several pieces from each artist. On the left wall hang large canvas pieces examining bright colors and simple geometric shapes created by Stuart-Hunt.
“In my recent paintings, color plays with the effect of interrupting arc shapes,” Stuart-Hunt said.
Moving through the gallery, viewers are brought to each artist’s section, free to admire the works. Several of the artists hung out by their pieces with a look of determination and pride. In the center of the gallery were four large sculpture pieces involving light pastel colors, arranged in freestanding geometric shapes.
Several pieces by Riese were finely crafted stenciling on gouache paper. Her work involved incorporating small detailed patterns of capital letters such as I’s or S’s repetitively within precisely graphed lines, a clear portrayal of dedicated work with a precise idea behind it.
Another artist fond of working with paper is Berg, a small woman with a lot to say about her work and willing to share with all who came.
“I consider myself as a paper carpenter, crafting collages out of the world’s most common medium paper,” Berg said.
Her work consisted of several canvases involving Japanese-woodblock prints. These pieces started off with natural earth tones of similar colors and earthy patterns, which gradually brightened into bold colors with patterns that made a statement.
Patrons of the event were offered food and drinks at the end of the artwork line. With soft jazz playing in the background and the slight buzz of art enthusiasts commentating and discussing, the event generated an evening of art appreciation.
Ewing Gallery will continue to show “Color Refined” through Dec. 12.
