draw at ellen kayrod gallery
Drawing is one of the oldest forms of human expression, beginning long before writing, as long ago as the cave and rock paintings of the Stone Age. “DRAW” is an invitational exhibition of the art of drawing by some of today’s masters of the form. The approaches and methods represented are broadly varied, including figure drawing, sketching, cartooning, doodling, freehand, tracing and printing. The media are just as diverse: graphite, pen and ink, various paints, inked brushes, colored pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, erasers, markers, styluses and silverpoint. The stunning results range from traditional to experimental.
Emotional, powerful, dramatic. Spectacular effect using standard pencil against color in this manner. Wow.
Sue Carman-Vian can tell a vivid story without relying on the impact of color. Graphite renders the scene dreamlike yet does not wilt. Carman-Vian’s mysterious, personal symbolism keeps the viewer engaged.
Deborah Friedman’s been drawing seagrape leaves for years. This isn’t my favorite of the series but it’s special in that it represents a recent battle and victory over breast cancer. In case living through a pandemic wasn’t enough. Warm sunny days and pink sunsets ahead!
A flock of birds in murmuration is one of nature’s greatest performances. The birds fly together in a spontaneous dance, creating organic shapes as they move across the sky. This abstraction captures the essence of that phenomenon.
The limited palette puts the weight of the composition on the ink. From thick, heavy marks to thin lines that move down the page as grapevines, this piece reminds of Chinese ink and water paintings. Jackson makes it contemporary.
Drawing reveals an artist. It describes an approach to a subject and demonstrates skill. There’s no hiding under layers of paint or random objects cobbled together in some abstract narrative. It’s real. It’s honest. This exhibition presents indisputable evidence there’s some serious talent in this town.
Participating artists: Jeff Cancelosi, Sue Carmen Vian, Barbara Dorchen, Deborah Friedman, Maurice Greenia Jr., John Hegarty, Richard Halprin, Meighen Jackson, Kip Kowalski, Gary Mayer, Dennis Orlowski, Luzhen Qiu, Christine Ritchie, and Rosemary Summers.
On view through February 25th at Ellen Kayrod Gallery 4750 Woodward Ave Detroit
*images are mine. Some pieces are under glass so there are some reflections.
direct quote from curator James Puntigam’s statement
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND