Holiday 2010 - Exhibition in Miranova

Holiday 2010

On view in the Rebecca Ibel Gallery @ Miranova

2 Miranova Place, Suite 150, Columbus OH 43215

Exhibition open December 1 – 30

Opening Reception: Friday, December 3, 6-8 pm

Sarah Fairchild Cabbage and Crabgrass, 2010 Acrylic and flocking on paper, 52 x 72”

The Rebecca Ibel Gallery is pleased to present Holiday 2010, a group exhibition featuring new works by Laura Bidwa, Tom Chapin, Sarah Fairchild, Linda Gall, Robert Harms, Laura Sanders and Billy Sullivan.

Laura Bidwa is represented with a group of 3 recent works on panel with colored pencil landscape drawing and painting, which are faint and obscured. One must focus in and allow these quiet and elegant paintings to reveal themselves.

Tom Chapin participates with a work in Mahogany. His Microcosm is a wonderful example of the artists wood carving technical deftness. The form exudes life and visually defies the weight of the material.

New to the gallery, Columbus artist Sarah Fairchild participates with the painting Crabgrass. This large work of acrylic on paper depicts the natural world in a sharply defined, graphic style that is reminiscent of the famous wallpaper designs produced by Victorian artist William Morris, yet infused with intense iridescent color.

Linda Gall is included with a recent still life ‘Dead Flowers #3’. This study exemplifies the artists skill in watercolor and her quirky sensibility.

Known for the ‘rustic lyricism’ emerging in his recent paintings, Robert Harms draws inspiration from the changing seasons and explores the continuum between art and nature. In ‘August’, the New York artist abstractly depicts the convergence of change and color outside his woodland studio in Southampton.

Laura Sanders Reflective Pond, 2010 Oil on canvas 48 x 79 inches

Columbus artist Laura Sanders has garnered attention with her paintings of children playing in and enveloped by water, through which she explores this mysteriously elemental but potentially threatening interaction. While her paintings are nearly photorealistic on first glance, closer inspection reveals fluid, nearly abstract brush strokes that wed form with content. In ‘Reflective Pond’ Sanders depicts a boy and young man in the layered, shimmering water of a lake, their shoulders rising just above its surface.

Billy Sullivan Stephen, 2010 Pastel on paper 40 x 32 inches

Known for his elegantly intimate portraits of artists and friends who inhabit the art scene, New York artist Billy Sullivan is included with a recent pastel of artist Stephen Mueller. This large pastel portrait is derived from a photograph taken in the 1970’s of fellow artist and long-time friend Stephen Mueller. Stylishly bundled against the cool weather, the subject gazes meditatively into the distance.

Ori Gersht - Opening in December

Ori Gersht: Selected Works

On view in the Rebecca Ibel Gallery in the Short North

1055 North High Street, Columbus OH 43201

Exhibition open: December 1 – January 8

Opening Reception: Saturday, December 4, 6-8 pm

Ori Gersht Of Balance, 2009 LVT print mounted on aluminum, numbered 2/6, framed 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches

The Rebecca Ibel Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of photographs from the internationally acclaimed Israeli artist Ori Gersht. Based in London, Gersht has been an important voice in contemporary art for more than a decade.

The exhibition features still life works from the Falling Bird, Pomegranate, and Time after Time: Exploding Flowers series. The artist plays with the classic still life and literally breaks it apart. Lush and painterly in feel, the photographs in the upcoming exhibition are inspired by Old Master paintings, from the 18^th C French painter Chardin to the 17^th C Spanish artist Juan Sanches Cotan, to Dutch and French still life painting traditions. The artist restages these scenes and then uses high-tech devices to add his own twist to the narrative.

Ori Gersht Untitled 3, 2007 c-print mounted on aluminum, numbered 2/6, framed 17 7/8 x 13 3/4 inches

As is most of his works, the artist investigates the connecting notions of beauty and death. As the traditional still life is meant to be a reflection of human frailty and the passage of time. Gersht pushes the limits of photography and film to underscore ideas of time and the visual experience. His work has been described as capturing the 'optical unconsciousness,' or the infinite changes that exist in between what the brain and naked eye register with human consciousness. Gersht employs cutting-edge photographic technology to accomplish the eternal desire to suspend time. Rendering time plastic, Gersht creates ethereal works, pregnant with narrative.

Gersht’s photographs both compresses and expand time. In contrast to still life paintings, his scenes are captured quickly through photography. Time is thereby compressed when compared to the classical still life painting, which seems to depict one moment even though significant time would have elapsed during the painting process and changes to the scene would therefore have occurred. Gersht also expands time by dissecting it. Each photograph represents an exact moment in time. As his photographs implicitly recognize, though, time is subject to infinite dissection. While his photographic process reveals fleeting realities that otherwise would elude human consciousness, since time can never be broken down completely it will always to obscure as well as reveal. Like Russian dolls, within every moment lies another.

Ori Gersht Imbalances, 2008 Lambda print mounted on aluminum, numbered 1/6, 47 1/4 x 59 inches

Originally from Tel Aviv, Gersht currently lives and works in London. He received his BA from the University of Westminister and his MFA from the Royal College of Art, both in London. Over the past 20 years, his works have been widely exhibited internationally and are included in numerous museum collections including: The Tate, SF Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Artist News - November 12, 2010

Tom Chapin - installation shot and new photo of Chain and Growth Cage.
The exhibition is open through November - don't miss it!






















Billy Sullivan has a show up in Detroit at the Susanne Hilberry Gallery. Beautiful paintings and drawings, check it out at http://www.susannehilberrygallery.com/































Almond Zigmund is in a show at BoxoFFICE:

Crafting Concept: Oppositions, Connections and the Nature of Form
October 2 - November 20, 2010

Zigmund created a bold installation for the exhibition, as well as a limited set of wall works. Her works are boldly colored, highly patterned interventions using industrial materials.

Almond Zigmund was born in California, raised in Brooklyn, and now lives in East Hampton, NY. She received an undergraduate degree from Parsons School of Design in NY and Paris and an MFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Almond has exhibited her work for over 15 years in galleries across the US and in Europe and has created site-specific installations for The Parrish Art Museum, Southampton, NY and The Las Vegas Art Museum. Almond makes installations, sculpture and related images that examine perceptions of space. "My work is a series of reactions to space, a mark-making which interjects a counter rhythm to existing structures. This reappraisal of one's place within a space is meant to call into question existing parameters and boundaries and forces us to experience the physical and psychological and our place in it, anew."

Matt Magee is getting great press for his Knoedler show.
Roberta Smith in the NY Times, Friday, November 12, 2010:

Tom Chapin - new sculpture / Artist News

Tom Chapin: new sculpture

Opening this Friday, November 5, 6-8 pm in the Short North gallery, an exhibition of new sculpture by Tom Chapin. The show will be open through the month of November.

The artist is known for his modest scales works in a variety of materials, from granite to bronze to marble, and in this show the focus is on a small selection of works in mahogany and rosewood. Chapin’s inspiration comes from diverse sources including the natural world, ancient philosophies and the human condition. While his work is not representational, it is not all together abstract either. Working in an intuitive manner, the artist creates forms, which describe experiences or basic elemental truths as he sees them. There is an energy and action evident in this group, suggesting perhaps genetic or biological growth or atomic reaction.


Born in Buffalo, New York, Tom Chapin became curious at the age of 19 and traveled around North and Central America. After a period of exploring architecture and carpentry, he turned to sculpture, where he has kept his focus for the past 25 years. His work has been exhibited in the US and abroad. He is the recipient of a Pollack-Krasner grant and the London Chelsea Art Council’s Portobello Prize. This is his second exhibition with the Rebecca Ibel Gallery.

for more images and information visit our website - rebeccaibel.com.

Press Preview for the exhibition can be found in this weeks Columbus Alive - click here.

Congratulations to Melissa Meyer who has been honored as one of 18 newly elected members into the The National Academy Museum and School. In the 185-year old institution, academicians are elected by peer artists and architects who are members of the Academy. The 2010 new members are: Janine Antoni, Adam Anuszkiewicz, Willard Boepple, Donna Dennis, Carroll Dunham, Garth Evans, Nancy Friese, Ann Gale, Ann Hamilton, Glenn Ligon, Melissa Meyer, Dana Schutz, Shahzia Sikander, Amy Sillman, Lee Tribe, Billie Tsien and Tod Williams, and Don Voisine.

Robert Storr, Dean of the Yale University School of Art, was Honorary Master of Ceremonies of the induction ceremony, which was held on October 13, 2010.

Wexner Center turns 21!
http://www.wexarts.org/about/wex21/
They are celebrating with a big opening celebration on Saturday, November 6 and a host of events and exhibitions.

Report from Bogota

I am happy to report that ArtBo, an international art fair in Bogota, Columbia was a great adventure and success. The fair itself was fairly small and offered high quality works by mostly Latin American galleries and artists. (photos of the entrance of the fair during set up; pictures of my booth; MagnanMetz Gallery with an installation of Alejandro Almanza Pereda and Horrach Moya gallerist with a Jorge Mayet sculpture.)

















The organizers of the fair were tremendous hosts and the art community came together and welcomed us with open arms. Everyday was full of visiting private collections, touring the city's museums and cultural centers, along with dinners and parties in the most fun and dynamic places. A particularly fun evening was dinner and dancing at Andres Carne de rez in Chio, which was crazy fun entertainment, dancing and delicious food. (photo of my trusted assistant Camilla on the balcony of a collector's home; dancing at Andres Carne)


The art scene is also very strong. There is a large group of fantastic young artists, some favorites include Milar Lagos, Esteban Pena, Sair Garcia. Along with the Columbians were great Mexican and Argentinian artists Alejandro Almanza Pereda and Luis Teran who were there for the fair.

Overall, I hope to go back next year and recommend it to anyone to join me.

(Security is fine if one plays by the rules and pays attention, no worries.)

ArtBo 2010
I am beyond excited to participate at an art fair in Bogota Columbia!
I am taking a small selection of new works to the fair by:
Dion Johnson, Charles LaBelle, Kurt Lightner, Melissa Meyer, Laura Sanders, Billy Sullivan and Rob Wynne.

for images of new works visit our website - www.rebeccaibel.com




Dion Johnson has a new body of work which we will debut in Bogota. This new series has a catalog and fantastic essay by David Pagel. (call the gallery to order!)
Charles LaBelle will be represented with a giant compound photograph from his Sunset at Dawn series. A show of new drawings is scheduled in the gallery for early 2011.










Kurt Lightner is represented with a group of small paintings from the new 'Sinking House' series. These nature-inspired abstract paintings loosely relate to the plight of the loss of the American farm and explore the power of natural forces on man-made structures. The imagery of these destroyed structures reveal the impermanence of the perceived permanence we believe these structures possess.

A gallery exhibition of works from this series is forthcoming.

Melissa Meyer is represented with a group of watercolors from the Bogliasco series. These small works on paper convey the lyrical abstactionist qualities for which she is known.

Laura Sanders is present with 'Cloud Cover' a stunning larger painting from the figures in water series.

I was able to pick up a stunning new watercolor by Billy Sullivan on my last NYC visit. These new works show the artist supreme drawing skills and his striking colors.


Rob Wynne has created two small pieces from his 'Exhale' series, aptly titled 'Bogota' and 'Medellin' for the fair. Apart from being exceedingly portable, they are among his most celebrated glass work.

Overall, I thank these artists for helping me take exceptional work and making it as easy as possible to transport internationally. Looking forward to the adventure!

Check out our facebook page for updates during the week!
Rebecca Ibel

for ArtBo info - click here

Jonathan Hammer press release

Jonathan Hammer

On view in the Rebecca Ibel Gallery at Miranova

2 Miranova Place, Suite 150, Columbus OH 43215

October 1 – November 12, 2010

Artist Talk and Reception: Friday, October 1, 5-8 pm

The Rebecca Ibel Gallery is excited to present new work by Jonathan Hammer. The exhibition will include a double-sided leather panel, pastel drawings and a suite of etchings. Inspired both intellectually and aesthetically by Surrealism and Dada, Jonathan Hammer utilizes historic, religious, and artistic events as a crucible for exploring and tracing the filaments of the human condition. Three different bodies of work are represented in the exhibition: Genesis, Ubu Roi, and Kovno. While they have diverse historic underpinnings, the works share the same deep conceptual roots and strong aesthetic appeal.

Genesis 2009 Hand-tooled exotic leathers 34 x 28”

Reminiscent in its construction of ancient religious texts ‘Genesis’ is a double panel, made of hand-tooled exotic skins, that reinterprets specific biblical narratives. The recto side is a complex, highly symbolic narrative that explores what Hammer describes as two tangential themes related to the burial of Sara, and the various ancient legends that arose in connection with the themes. The verso side addresses the relationship between Abraham and his servant Ezekiel, particularly the religious and human implications in manner in which the oath is taken, as Hammer views the incident.

In seven pastels Hammer portrays Ubu King, a persona invented by the Dadaist Alfred Jarry. In the pastels Ubu King appears in an anguished state, imagined variously as a dethroned king, a clown, and a vulnerable artist. Hammer’s focus on duality is particularly evident in the Ubu King series, which depicts a once powerful leader who has been sapped of power and now appears to be no more than an empty toy. Like his Dadaist predecessor, Hammer plays on absurdities and contradictions inherent in everyday life, which have greater political implications.

In a suite of twelve etchings entitled ‘Kovno’, Hammer explores the circumstances surrounding atrocities that occurred in a Lithuanian town during World War II. Tens of thousands of Jewish residents were expelled from their homes and sent to a ghetto before ultimately being impounded under German orders. After the fall of Soviet rule, Jews living in the area were openly slaughtered en masse. Amidst this exhibition of the human capacity for extreme and remorseless violence, an unlikely ally intervened on behalf of those being persecuted. Against direct orders a Japanese diplomat named Chiune Sugihara issued some 2,100 visas to refugees, enabling them to escape to Japan. The Simon Wiesenthal Center estimates that approximately 40,000 descendents of the Jewish refugees are alive due to the actions of Sugihara. In 1984 Israel’s official Holocaust memorial named Sugihara one of the ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ in recognition of his humanitarian actions during the war.

The Kovno suite originated as Hammer was preparing for an exhibition of his work at the Lithuanian Art Museum. During his preparations Hammer learned that his Jewish grandparents were from the area, and he shared this discovery with the museum. Evidently shamed by the atrocities that had occurred during World War II, the museum abruptly cancelled the exhibition and severed contact with Hammer. After delving into the history surrounding the atrocities and Sugihara’s actions, Hammer created the Kovno etchings, a body of work that is both intensely personal and unmistakably universal in its import.

Jonathan Hammer was born in Chicago in 1960. He graduated from Bard College and studied bookbinding at the London College of Printing with Romilly Saumerez Smith and Monique Lallier. For 20 years, his work has been included in numerous gallery and museum exhibitions around the world and has been the subject of more than 35 solo. His works are included in many private and public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; the San Francisco Museum of Art, San Francisco; the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; the Jumex Collection, Mexico City; and the Caldic Collection, Rotterdam. Hammer recently completed a cycle of large sculptures in porcelain with the Bernardaud Foundation in Limoges, France. He is the recipient of numerous grants, including the Swiss Arts Council, Zurich; Art Matters, New York; and Miro Foundation, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Hammer lives and works in Barcelona and San Francisco. He has been exhibiting with the Rebecca Ibel Gallery since 1996.