Mixed Media: When the wall(paper) is the art work

By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times

The Main Line Arts Center unveiled their Professional Artist Members’ Exhibition last week. Stop by to celebrate at the reception this Friday, January 11th from 5:30 – 8pm. This exhibition will showcase a variety of media (sculpture, painting, photography, mixed media) from the programs’ 2019 cohort. Participating artists include: Frank de Pietro, Linda Dubin Garfield, Gary Grissom, Andrea G. Snyder, Agathe Bouton, and many more.

Nick Cassway’s Above The Sound of Ideologies Clashing.

As I scrolled through the participating artists on the Main Line Art Center website, I stumbled upon Nick Cassway whose computer drafted stencils create a manufactured style of to his illustration. One of his recent projects, “Above The Sound of Ideologies Clashing,” finds an entire room covered in his illustrated wallpaper.

The comic book and vintage sign design inspirations are made evident in his color choices and linework; the wallpaper is overwhelming and unique. The deep royal blues and rich tangerines of his palette stamp the walls with confidence. Cassway succinctly words the mission of this project on his website, In this narrative form of surface design – commonly referred to as conversational style –  the story elements never progress, they are snippets of time, frozen in endless unyielding repetition.” He goes on to describe the symbolism of this style as illustrating the inevitability of history repeating itself. A graduate of the Tyler School of Art, Cassways illustrations have been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the ArtBlog, Grid Magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, and Art News. Check out this exhibition for the expansive talent and media. Now showing through February 3rd.

Jan Wier’s Orange Lillies on Green Damask

As if to offset the myriad small works exhibitions that blanket the holiday season, Gallery 222 will feature their “Large Works” exhibition opening tonight, January 9th. Featured artists include: Elise Phillips, Randall Graham, Monique Sarkessian, Jan Wier, Denise Sedor, Sarah Baptist, Nancy Bea Miller, Jeremy McGirl,  Rhoda Kahler, Fred Danziger, Kristi Gilfillan, Alicia Asselta, Robert Bohné, David Ohlerking,  Lele Galer & Portia Mortensen. This exhibition is by appointment only, so please set up a time to check it out! (Nudge, nudge, you can also shop this exhibition on their website.)

The Philadelphia based arts organization, In Liquid, unveils a members show on January 10th at Park Towne Place in Philadelphia. The exhibition features Andrew Chaflen, Carole Loeffler, Denise Philipbar,Donna Sensor Thomas, Jay Walker, Paul Santoleri, and Stan Smokler. The title incorporates the double entendre of “hatching” as a technique – “using short, consecutive line segments, either parallel or crossed, to represent light and shadow as a means of modeling naturalistic form”, as well as the verb “to hatch,” as in, to devise. “Hatch,” is part of In Liquid’s ongoing rotating exhibitions at Park Towne Place. Stop by for the reception on January 23rd from 6 – 8pm.

Next week tune into Art Watch Radio on WCHE 1520AM from 1-1:30pm. Kelsey Rhodes will host speakers from Philadelphia Museum of Art. Until next time!

 

 

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