Even though I have often been accused of being an outright hedonist, it may come as a surprise to some of my readers that I do indeed have a spiritual side. I was therefore quite pleased to have the opportunity to view the exhibition at Long View Gallery that specializes in contemporary spiritual art. Located in downtown Raleigh at 323 Blake St., right on historic Moore Square, a recent show — titled Forever Lost? — featured works dealing with the concepts of loss and regret.
The space is over 2000 square feet with exposed brick walls and a stage for performance or readings. Curator Marty Baird has done a wonderful job pulling together a talented and diverse selection of artists from as far away as Brazil and Qatar, and as close as right here in the Capital City. Artwork by Baird is also included in the exhibition. I was especially drawn to several of her touching Waterlines installations that immediately conjure up images of Katrina-ravaged New Orleans. Utilizing doors salvaged from demolished houses, old wallpaper, oils and acrylics, Baird proves a fascinating storyteller.
Artists Jerry Jackson and Andre’ Leon Gray also utilize assemblage to very strong effect, with my favorite work by Jackson, Thirty six years-three hours-thirty minutes, transforming a grandfather clock into a gothic coffin. Remember that old nursery rhyme about the grandfather clock, “but it stopped short, never to run again when the old man died”? This brings it all home with clever poignancy. Sally Van Gorder sent her video work all the way from Qatar in order to share her story of the lives and loss of women across the globe, and Meg Madison contributed some lovely photographs — Girls at Eleven — which marks that tumultuous period when childhood is lost and womanhood is found. Other talented artists in the show include Sara Powers, Blair Ligon and Brazilian artist Malu Fatorelli.
This month, the gallery is rallying to save the planet with Saving the Places You Love, An Invitational Exhibition of North Carolina Artists. The show benefits the Conservation Trust of NC. The grand opening and fundraiser is set for April 20 and features images by visual luminaries Nancy Tuttle May, Richard Garrison, Doug Van de Zande and Bob Irwin.
Long View is a side project of The Collectors Gallery (www.thecollectorsgallery.com) and has limited hours for viewing, so call ahead to The Collectors Gallery to make certain it’s open. Rory Parnell, formerly of Raleigh Contemporary Gallery, and Megg Rader, former executive director of Artspace, have teamed up, and it seems that they are taking over the downtown Raleigh arts scene with exhibition spaces on Fayetteville Street, the historic City Market, as well as Long View. Obviously ladies to keep your eyes on!
News From The Art Scene
Congratulations to NC native Beverly McIver, who was recently featured in a most complimentary article in the prestigious ARTnews. McIver is living out west in Phoenix right now, but still makes time in her busy life to have a show now and then back here in the Tar Heel state where I hear she sells much better than in her New York gallery! You can view her current creations at Chapel Hill’s Tyndall Galleries.
Also in Chapel Hill, sculptor William Moore has recently started showing over at University Square with Bill Hester Fine Art. Moore has a knack for the sensuous in any medium, from marble, to bronze to ceramics. His recent offerings find him in rare form. While the trip to his geodesic dome studio is a treat, it is also an adventure, so I’m certain that many of his fans will find it much more convenient to pop into the gallery off Franklin Street to see what’s new.
Congratulations to Nancy Tuttle May on being chosen as a featured artist for WUNC’s capital campaign. Her painting, The Passion of the Moment, has been displayed to adorn everything and anything associated with the campaign, from T-shirts to coffee mugs and posters. Every year hundreds more artists move into our area, but the quality of May’s work always keeps her in the spotlight.
There must be something in the water with lots of artists playing musical chairs with galleries right now. Perhaps the artistic sap is rising in anticipation of spring. Abstract expressionist Jason Craighead recently made the jump from Glance Gallery of Raleigh to join Joe Rowand’s stable of artists at Somerhill Gallery (www.somerhill.com). I think the new pairing will be a good fit. Craighead is talented, ambitious and driven, Rowand is erudite and a survivor if there ever was one. Could there be a better mix?
And last but not least, congratulations to Glance Gallery (www.glancegallery.com) that recently opened up a second gallery in Hotlanta. From what people are saying, the opening was a huge success with a crush of hundreds of Atlanta swells and piles of red dots on the walls before the evening concluded!