Laura Spong and Anna Redwine May 25-June 5 2012

if ART Gallery presents @ Gallery 80808/Vista Studios 808 Lady St., Columbia, SC Two Simultaneous Solo Exhibitions: ANNA REDWINE: Nocturnes & LAURA SPONG: The Way Is Open  May 25 - June 5, 2012 Artists' Reception: Friday, May 25, 5 - 9 pm  Gallery talk Anna Redwine: Sun., May 27, 2:00 pm Gallery talk Laura Spong: Sun., June 3, 2:00 pmFor a PREVIEW of REDWINE's work, CLICK HERE . For a PREVIEW of SPONG's work,CLICK HERE.    ANNA REDWINE: NOCTURNES & LAURA SPONG: THE WAY IS OPEN                           if ART Gallery will present two simultaneous solo exhibitions, May 25 - June 5, 2012, at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street, Columbia, SC: Anna Redwine: Nocturnes and Laura Spong: The Way Is Open. The artist's reception is Friday, May 25, 5 - 9 p.m.  Redwine will present a gallery talk on Sunday, May 27, 2:00 p.m.; Spong's gallery talk will be Sunday, June 3, 2:00 p.m.             Columbia artist Redwine (b. 1978) will present a new body of work, Nocturnes, produced earlier this year during several days of intense output following a camping trip in a remote area. "I love to be alone outside at night," Redwine says, "when the smells are so intense, and shapes are nebulous. The works are non-representational responses to my subconscious and specifically informed by senses other than sight." That has translated in highly expressionistic paintings with vigorous marks that despite their high level of abstraction maintain representational elements.             "I also had been thinking about mystery and embracing the unknown. 'Nocturne' to me doesn't mean scary or macabre. It means enchanting and beckoning. I've always been concerned with space, both formally within a composition and as an important substance in life - the enabler of possibility. Nighttime and darkness are specific forms of space - opportunity, the unknown, staring at the stars, making out the shapes in silhouettes of trees and buildings. 'Nocturne' isn't just about nighttime, though. It's also about mysterious attics and crannies and paths that trail off in the distance."             Laura Spong will present new works from the past year, during which the 86-year-old has broadened her scope as an non-objective painter. "I think my colors are brighter than they used to be," the Columbia artist says. "I have no idea why. Sometimes I wonder whether my eyes are failing me, but I just had my eyes tested, and there was no change. So I don't know. It just seems like the right thing to do, using these colors. I also think much of my recent work is more energetic than some of what I have done before.  More energetic marks, that is.  Then again, lately I've been going back to simpler shapes again, too. I go back and forth."             Redwine (b. 1978) in March was in the if ART group exhibition Contemporary Carolina Abstraction II. He most recent solo exhibition was Frauenau, a 2010 if ART exhibition at Vista Studios. In 2007 she was included in Essence of Asia: Eastern Influences in Western Art at the Asian Fusion Gallery of New York's Asian Cultural Center. That same year, one of her works was acquired by the South Carolina State Art Collection, which is managed by the S.C. Arts Commission. Redwine's 2006 and 2007 solo exhibitions Life In One Breath and New, both if ART productions, were at Vista Studios/Gallery 80808. Redwine in 2000 received a BA in English from the University of Mississippi. In 2006, she received her MFA from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.             Laura Spong (b. 1926) is among South Carolina's most prominent abstract artists. Spong earlier this year had solo exhibitions at the Spartanburg (S.C.) Museum of Art and Young Harris College in Young Harris, Ga. She currently is in a two-person exhibition with Carl Blair at the Florence (S.C.) Museum of Art. Since her 80th-birthday exhibition in 2006, the Columbia artist's career has taken off with multiple solo exhibitions throughout the state, brisk sales, and the acquisition of her work by the South Carolina State Art Collection, the South Carolina State Museum and the Greenville County Museum of Art. Spong currently has a solo exhibition at the Spartanburg (S.C.)

McNinch: Channeling Myself and Other Goddesses

                                

“I never intended to show this work, but I felt developed into something worth sharing. It is a result of an exercise in self-awareness. I have enjoyed this process and hope you enjoy the results”  Michel McNinch 

There are three distinct series of paintings in this show.  In order of their origin, they are:  Channels, Subconscious,  and Goddesses.  

“Channels” - During my father’s illness and subsequent death I sought creative counseling.  It was suggested that I attempt a visual prayer.  With this suggestion in mind, my “Channels” series was born.  It evolved into a treasured practice as I continued these prayers for the last two years.

“Subconscious”-   These paintings were an attempt to paint what was beneath the surface of my present awareness. With nothing particular in mind, I chose a color and started painting.  Each time I sat down to paint, I had no idea or direction.  I painted on sheer instinct from the underlying influence of my subconscious.   What freedom!  What fun!  

“Goddesses” - When researching for a proposed workshop,  I had the idea to use the accomplished women in my life to pose for Goddess paintings.  It grew from there to be a very meaningful and rewarding endeavor to honor the many inspiring women in my life.

May is traditionally the time of year I show new work.  Although I  never intended to show the “Channels” or “Subconscious” paintings, these experiments developed into something worth sharing.  The “Goddess” paintings were done for pure pleasure.   I have thoroughly enjoyed the process and hope that you will enjoy the results. 

For more info:

Contact: Ashley C. White, 803-603-0982

AshleyWhite114@gmail.com 

www.michelmcninch.com