NEW IN THE GALLERY: LINDA GALL
opening Saturday, August 28th, 4-6 pm
We have been privileged to work with Linda Gall for many years, so we are pleased that Linda has a solo exhibition at the gallery starting on August 24th and running through September 30th. The exhibition, entitled 'Wanton Surrender', will consist of new paintings and works on paper, and will be at our Miranova gallery. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, August 28th from 4pm to 6pm.
Linda Gall combines images from her Zanesville neighborhood with antique porcelain figurines, creating playful yet layered narratives that question our relationship with our environment. Gall photographs time-ravaged buildings, many of which are scheduled to or have now been razed. These buildings, which are organically deconstructing themselves, form the stage onto which Gall introduces her delicately rendered porcelain figurines, whose strange presence draws the viewer into an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ like world.
While drawing inspiration from the local, Gall ultimately transcends it through a complex visual dialogue that has social, environmental, and human implications. Decomposing buildings and objects, typically from the industrial era, loom behind genteel porcelain figurines that might have graced Victorian mantelpieces. A porcelain samurai seemingly stands guard before an abandoned industrial quarry that is beautifully patinaed with rust. Two seeming lovers, rooted to their porcelain base, whisper to one another before an abandoned trailer tangled in shadow, its paint worn and muted by years in the elements. The figurines in ‘Wanton Surrender’ immediately strike the viewer as incongruous with their surroundings. In contrast to the beautifully rusted metal or peeling paint that surrounds them, the figurines seem impervious to time. They appear to be visitors from an earlier time moving through our own, simultaneously connected to and disconnected from what surrounds them. The figurines evoke both human connection to and alienation from their environments, and entangle our contemporary era with one that has faded into history. Finding beauty and import in these buildings, which come alive in some sense through the changes involved in their slow decomposition, Gall memorializes them before they are swept away forever.
Ohio native Linda Gall received her BFA and MFA from Rutgers University. Her work has been included in numerous exhibitions throughout the Midwest. She has been represented by the Rebecca Ibel Gallery since 1997 and currently lives and works in Zanesville, Ohio, a city known for its pottery tradition.
For images and information visit our website: rebeccaibel.com
CMH Magazine 'Studio Visit' with Linda Gall and Laura Sanders
Linda recently was featured in CMH Magazine, where she was interviewed by fellow artist Laura Sanders about her artistic process. The interview from the CMH 'Studio Visits' article along with its accompanying photographs of Linda working in her studio are available at:
CMH Magazine website
THE FRENCH CONNECTION: JONATHAN HAMMER
In addition to his other recent exhibitions in Europe, Jonathan Hammer recently exhibited new sculptures at the Correze Art Center in France. Former French president Jacques Chirac and his wife attended the exhibition and kindly hosted a luncheon afterwards. Above are photographs from the Correze exhibition, including one of Jonathan avec President Chirac.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION: JONATHAN HAMMER
From October 1st to November 12th we will be presenting a solo exhibition of Jonathan Hammer's new works on paper and exotic leathers, with an artist talk and reception from 5pm to 8pm on October 1st. Although we can not promise that any former presidents will be on hand, it promises to be a fascinating exhibition by this important voice in contemporary art. Further information on the exhibition will be available on our website rebeccaibel.com shortly.
IN THE PRESS: LAURA SANDERS
Laura Sanders and her paintings continue to garner media attention. Laura recently was featured in two articles. Along with the 'Studio Visit' article where she appeared in CMH Magazine along with fellow artist Linda Gall (see above), Laura also was recently the subject of an article in City Scene Magazine. In the interview Laura discusses the artistic process that results in her mesmerizing paintings and the role that her family plays in that process. You can read more on the City Scene website - click here.
IN THE PRESS: HEIMIR BJORGULFSSON
Shortly before his solo exhibition at our gallery concluded Heimir had his exhibition at the Western Project gallery in Los Angles reviewed by the Huffington Post. The Huffington Post article discusses Heimir's diverse cultural influences and his ability to see and make seen what often remains unnoticed by others, particularly in the physical environment of Los Angles, where he now resides. The article can be viewed on the Huffinton Post website - click here.
ADDITIONS: PATRICK WILSON
We are pleased to report that Los Angeles artist Patrick Wilson has joined the New York gallery of Ameringer McEnery Yohe, where his work recently was featured in their group exhibition 'Summer Selections.' You can view images from that show - click here - and his work on our wesite - click here.
Also featured in the 'Summer Selectons' exhibition was fellow Los Angles artist Michael Reafsnyder, whose solo exhibition at our gallery recently concluded. You can view his work on our webite - click here.
ADDITIONS: DION JOHNSON
We are also pleased to report that Dion Johnson recently has officially joined the Western Project gallery in Los Angeles.
western-project.com
ON THE ROAD: ARTBO COLUMBIA
For the first time, our gallery will be participating in Artbo, the Bogota International Art Fair. Artbo, which draws approximately 20,000 people each year, takes place October 20th through October 25th.
