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This year's annual Summer International has a variety of styles and messages. An all media show is quite rich in terms of the range of expression.
Following are a few comments about some of the pieces that achieved a level of success either conceptually or technically or both.
Scott Baker continues his virtuosity with his keen eye for unusual effects with photography. His work “Rainbows Solstice” in its warm golden tonality captures the landmark of Car Hinge in Western Nebraska as the rainbow descends as an arc as it seems to touch one of the last cars in the group. His “Edge of the Storm” gives an honorable treatment to the sky’s orchestra as a passing storm interacts with a warm front again providing a rainbow connection. Scott Baker is able to find visual concerts within the environment.
“Buffalo Chip Champ”, one of Phebe Burnham’s rather humorous oil pastels delightfully presents a competition of throwing these waste products in this fun game. In her other pastel “The Good Life is Expensive” we can reflect on what it costs to have the time to relax. Both contain moments in time like snapshots taken seriously as they become transformed into fine art.
Tere Casas in her work “Tere Casas - Flowers” uses mixed media in a treatment as if to give honor to the person in the oval picture portrait. The combination of various textures and color is quite alluring.
In “Mark”, a charcoal work by Hae-ryong Cho there is an outstanding portrayal of a person in profile giving a handsome African-American with free-flowing dreadlocks complemented by the head’s cloth accessory or hat treatment.
Nat Cole has a wonderful sense of construction. In all her works in the show, she gives the viewer many interesting groupings. In “S-Space” there is an overall “S” flow with station points of numbers here and there with the image of the cat and people in conversation giving pause in the fascinating movement. In her “Two” (Wing Series) the portrait is even more interesting with the shaped wings, ribbons and numbers - very nice work.
In a more classical rendition, Nicolas Cotter masters the use of charcoal in his portraiture. “Untitled 1” commands attention with the dark hat and the crisscross of the coat. In “Untitled 5” the action of the man checking his tie creates interest. Both work well with the shadows giving depth to the characters.
Dustin Davis takes various manmade utilitarian objects and manipulates them into a fine construction as an “Homage to the Amish”. The simplicity of the arrangement goes well with the heritage of the Amish.
“Waterloo Village by Moonlight” by Ramona Dooley shows a vastness in her 18” x 24” oil painting. Also striking is the warm glow of the moon onto the cool atmosphere of the village. The movement of the horse and cart and the two men in the boat together with the stationary homes add even more to the character to this winter scene.
Sam Dowd uses his imaginative powers in playful ways. “All Terrain Rover w/ Grasper Arm” is quite intriguing in its makeup. Additionally, the patina of yellow, yellow orange and yellow green makes it even more wonderful. Another one which stands out is “Dragonfly, Heavy Lifter”. Herein the coloration works well and the propellers make it truly amazing as an idea in clay.
“Sorrow” by Ann-Bridget Gary uses unusual materials in earth tones. The nailed down clothes pins around a expressively drawn face grabs attention especially as the pressed down linen creates creases around the top of the head.
Gabrielle D. R. Guenther of Amsterdam, The Netherlands in her piece “Duchesse” we get a kind of richness as found in the reflecting materials of gold and copper coloring. The various textural treatment adds spark as well as the vertical presentation.
One of the best uses of mixed media is found in “Heart of the Machine” by Jacquelyn Harp. The use of digital manipulation is important to the success of this piece. The idea that a machine has a heart is also quite compelling in considering the human and inanimate geometric contrasts.
Akiva Huber of Haifa, Israel is a master with bronze sculpture. “Motherhood” is certainly an honorable concept and in his work so titled, he certainly achieves the sense of caring with the child being so much a part of the mother. In his work “The Escape From Sodom” he again succeeds with the character of Lot’s wife turning in the opposite direction as looking back at Sodom. The simplicity of shape made of bronze make his work very strong.
“Meditation”, an oil on canvas by Nick Leyton shows the concept well in the view of the person looking downward in warm tertiary colors. The fluid painterly quality gives an added richness.
Luiz Fernando P. Martins of Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil brings dramatic color to the show. His work “Intense” in its poly chroma and figure study is quite forceful. His style with the dark outlining not only enhances the color but provides boldness as well.
“Dancing” in paper and acrylic paint is a nice achievement. Dorothy McGuinness has patiently woven this piece in a striking yellow and red, manipulating the geometry of cut paper into a curvilinear “dance” which is excellent.
Denise Moody-Tackley handles detail well in her work “Tying The Knot”. The many knots tied together forming a kind of dress-like structure perhaps suggesting a marriage or a commitment. The white color is also suggestive.
“Childhood Town” by Leon Oks utilizes the given space to advantage. What is particularly characteristic of his work is the overall patterning and in this work the stacking of houses and the road allows for a sense of space in the town.
Charlene Randolph in her clay and grape vine piece “Vessel of Honor” captures a Christian theme with shine and texture. The blue, gold and copper glazing gives a sense of richness and honor. Also the grape vine adds to the theme.
“Apart” by Charles L. Reinhorn, shows the female figure rather self-contained with arms and legs in a body language setting the individual rather introverted. In his work “Luna” the figure is looking upward as if thinking beyond self perhaps. All of his work in bronze is quite nice.
Mayda Rumberg gives an interesting perspective in her color photograph entitled “Foot in Water, Miami”. The loose pants and the shadow in the water provide a rather unusual view, which seems to be one of a her fortes in several of her works.
“Bustier” made of # 2 pencils and crocheted paper is an outstanding construction. Alejandro and Viviana Santamarina are quite accomplished technically and conceptually. Such imagination is used to create “Paintcil” composed also of #2 pencils. And “Rice and Draw” together with their piece “The Abominable Three Legged Slicnet” are remarkable and unique. All of their work is quite creative and certainly original.
Eric O. Schneider is a “whiz” with computer manipulation. His “Elder Leaf’s Teleportation Collided with Dumpty’s Destiny” shows his vast capabilities as well as his humor. “Self Portrait of Dali (Painted by Unknown Artist)” is a mystery in terms of the title, yet the personality of Dali seems to be captured in another mysterious way.
“Life Dances” is another delightful and colorful work by judi sim. This artist provides a gentle and playful rendition of a way of life as a kind of dance - enjoying all the interesting and fun parts that make living worthwhile.
Edith Suchodrew of Aachen, Germany makes one-of-a-kind digital prints. In her piece “Bluehen” (Bloom) she captures a sense of real flowers almost in the state of change suggested by the more moving parts.
“A Letter From Home” by Jason Swain is an oil painting presenting a special moment in life. The placement of the man out in the country all alone certainly enhances the contrast away from his home. Another well painted work is his “Cooling Off”. Also notable are his two portraits “In Memory of PJ” and “Keith”, both of which are outstanding examples of this painter's proficiency. The tilt in the Peter Jennings piece adds greatly to the expression.
Stewart Wessel is a genius sculptor in his use of wood with other materials. “Corpse”, “Quiet Cell #2”, “Three Shots” and “Water Rubies” are excellent examples of craftsmanship and conceptual intrigue. The use of repetition provides added strength to his messages.
What dramatic results are photographed by Phillip A. Windell in his work “Dawn”. The image of the truck on the road and centrally located gives life to the situation of the very early start of the day as if going to work as the street lights give way to the sunlight.
Jeong han Yun in his rectangular works of handmade paper give a real presence in their sizes. “Speaking to You 071” has an unusual overall shape and gives it a special quality that seems to speak in a different way than the others in the show.
All in all the show covers a broad spectrum of talent across the United States and indeed several other countries. Many thanks to all the artists who were selected.
Sincerely, |
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Sincerely,
Larry Bradshaw
Curator, Professor of Art |
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