Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown is exhibiting the works of artists Greg Stett, Joy Newland and Charles Kirkpatrick through April 28.
Stett will show his collection of pastel paintings, Newland will show her collection of alcohol ink collages and Kirkpatrick will feature his collection of wood turned bowls.
“A lot of Greg’s work, when you look at it initially, it looks like a photograph,” said Sharon Kiefer, curator of exhibitions at Perkins. “The detail he adds is amazing, and then when you realize it’s pastel, you have to take a second look, because this isn’t usually how this medium is handled.”
Newland said her focus is on alcohol ink painting, which allows her to play with a limitless variety of colors and tones, from bold and bright to muted and subtle. She experiments with hard and soft edges as the ink transitions from one hue to the next.
Newland is currently experimenting with the creation of 3D pieces from her paintings, using a combination of mosaics, stripes and uncut paintings.
“Her artwork involves alcohol ink painting,” Kiefer explained of Newland, “which is a process where you drop the ink onto the paper and add alcohol, and you can create an effect almost like watercolor painting. After that piece is created, she cuts it apart into little tiny squares, and then rearranges the squares into a collage, which can be representational.”
Kiefer believes you can’t put a price on Kirkpatrick’s wood turned bowls, given all the time and effort he puts into creating them.
“It’s just really amazing, and when I found out that he doesn’t stain any of his wood – that he actually chooses different varieties of trees that have different color wood – to create the contrast in his bowls, that just made it more unbelievable,” Kiefer noted. “They’re actual works of art that he’s created this way.”
From Kiefer’s perspective, the exhibition didn’t need a theme or title, as Kirkpatrick, Stett and Newland are showing their individual artistry and craftsmanship through their work.
“They really are professionals and experts at their medium, and I think that’s what really attracts you to this show, and to really investigate their work more thoroughly,” Kiefer said.
An artist’s reception will be held at Perkins on Saturday, March 18, at 5 p.m. Kiefer looks forward to seeing the public enjoy what she describes as a “feel-good” show.
“It’s a show that you can relate to, because a lot of the subject matter is from our area and it’s very familiar, so that’s really soothing for people,” Kiefer said. “But then when you take a closer look and you realize what mediums they’re working with and you see a variety of examples, it’s really amazing, and you just appreciate their expertise and their medium.”
For gallery hours and more information on upcoming exhibitions and events at Perkins, visit https://perkinsarts.org.
“I encourage the community to come out to every show,” Kiefer emphasized. “ … (You can) see new artwork and (you) may be inspired to do something on your own, or just feel peace and somehow get some healing from viewing the artwork.”
