NC Institutional Galleries - Carolina Arts

Robert Lange Studios in CharlestonFeatures Works by Mia BergeronRobert Lange Studios in Charleston,SC, will present Gradual Thaw, featuringworks by Mia Bergeron, on view fromJuly 5 - 26, 2013. A reception will be heldon July 5, from 5-8pm and the exhibit willbe on view during CFADA’s “Palate andPalette” event on July 19, from 5:30-7:30pm (a ticketed event).Work by Mia BergeronIn her first solo show, Mia Bergeronhas created a series of paintings that willtake viewers on a visual journey of whatdrives, motivates and inspires her creativeprocess.Gradual Thaw Questions with theartist:1. What inspires you?“A lot of things inspire me. I’m drawnto everyday abstractions I see in nature…subtle variances in shades of lights andcolors, big, unusual compositions. Peopleare a huge source of inspiration for me,both strangers and close friends.”2. What are three words that describeboth you and your work?“Introspective, Experimental, Inquisitive.And some would say moody! Ha!”3. When you look around your studio,what do you see?“A lot of paintings I have worked onand destroyed, and worked on again. Iprobably painted double the paintings Ihave in this exhibit, but destroyed half ofthem over the course of time. And books.I’m addicted to art books. I have booksthat range in subjects from John SingerSargent to the Alexander McQueen retrospectiveat the Metropolitan. I have littlepieces of paper in all of these to remindme of ideas for paintings. I also have ahuge amount of printed images in mystudio…paintings of other peoples’ work,photos that inspire me, even scraps oftextiles that remind me about a particularcolor harmony.”in my painting skills. I was also told Iwas a temperamental painter. For years, Ithought these two ‘defects’ would hurt mywork. In the past year, I’ve really dug intomaking my vulnerabilities my strengths. Ithink it’s sort of creative problem solvingand simply being curious. Instead of denyingthat I am a erratic painter and that Ilike big, overall effects in a painting (likemood, for instance), I decided to acceptthose parts of me and even play them upin these paintings. I think the work lookslike it could change at any moment, andthe moods are very purposeful. The otheridea I have been exploring with in mywork is loss of information. The paintingsin this show are the results of a bunch ofquestions I had with paint. I will paint amodel for days and days, then slowly startto erase parts of my painting, wiping outentire passages I have worked hard on,making transitions that don’t exist. I willpurposefully look to lose areas of a paintingthat I want to grow into somethingmore.”6. What do you hope people walk awayfrom the show talking about?“I hope they ask questions. I’m not offeringany real answers in my work, mostlyjust posing questions to the viewer.”Work by Mia Bergeron7. What do you think both visual andconceptually your strengths are as an artist?“Visually, I think I am strong in depictinglight and mood. Conceptually, I think Iam strong at looking at broader topics thatrelate to inner feelings.”8. Can you talk about the title of yourshow, “Gradual Thaw”?“I picked this name because it representsboth what happens in springtime,just before plant life blooms, but also asit relates to a mental state. I had all theserules for being a person, a painter, etc. Ithink I’m in a transitional stage of my life,as many people are, and some of thoseprevious rules and ideas about myself, mywork, and my world are melting away tomake room for new growth. A lot of thetitles of paintings in this show refer to thisevolution.”9. How do you choose your models?THE TREASURE NESTArt GalleryExtensive selection of highquality oil paintings and framesat truly wonderful values.1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.Crickentree Village Shopping CenterMt. Pleasant, SC • Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm843 216 -1235 • www.treasurenestartgallery.comOriginal Art, Fine Prints,Custom Framing, andInterior Design by appointment140-A West Richardson Ave.Summerville, South Carolina 29483843/873-8212Mon. - Fri., 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am - 5pmWilliam HalseyLaura Liberatore SzwedaAurora, oil on canvaswww.LauraLiberatoreSzweda.netContemporary Fine Artby appointmentHalsey - McCallumStudioWilliam Halsey& Corrie McCallumBoth recipientsof theElizabeth O’NeillVerner Awardpaintings • graphics • sculpturefor the discerning collectorFor information:David Halsey 843.813.7542dhalsey917@comcast.netPaige Halsey Slade 904.223.8418PSlade@alumnae.brynmawr.eduLouise McCallum Halsey 501.650.5090louisemhalsey@gmail.comwww.louisehalsey.comDon’t forget about our website:www.carolinaarts.comYou can find past issues all the way back toAugust 2004!Work by Mia Bergeron4.What project are you currently workingon?“Mostly I’ve been working on paintingsfor my solo show at Robert LangeStudios, and a few paintings for a WomenPainting Women show I will be involvedwith in September.”5. What was the impelling force for thecurrent subject matter and show?“I think I’m in a natural evolution withmy work. Mostly, I have been focusedon two ideas for this show. One is to reallydive into my fears as a painter, andmy strengths. When I was in school inItaly, I was constantly told I was better atgetting an effect than achieving details.This was said to me as a weakness I hadPage 6 - Carolina Arts, July 2013“Most of the women I paint are artists.There’s this sense of understanding I findwith them about poses and intentions. It’sa bit of an unsaid symbiosis. I’m also ahuge advocate of women artist visibility,so I think it is a natural choice for me tobe drawn to creative females to paint.”10. When do you call a piece finished?“When it no longer seems to have anyobvious needs.”Robert Lange Studios has been votedBest Art Gallery in Charleston for the lastfour years by the Charleston City Paperand Nathan Durfee has received the awardfor Best Visual Artist. Gallery ownersMegan and Robert Lange are committedto providing a forum for art based on individuals,subjective style and awareness.This dedication has created a reputationfor the gallery of consistently finding newand interesting artists that stand out fortheir imagination and distinctive personaltouch.For more info check our SC CommercialGallery listings, call 843/805-8052 orvisit (www.robertlangestudios.com).Table of ContentsYou can find past articles all the way back toJune 1999Also don’t forget about our two blogs:Carolina Arts UnleashedCarolina Arts NewsSend us your email address to be addedto our list to receive notice of eachmonthly issue.info@carolinaarts.com