SHARON BARTEL-CLEMENTS: "The Side of the Road"

Red Wave #2, oil/tire tacks on canvas














Horizon's Promise, oil/tire tracks on canvas







Visit our website for additional images @ www.thefranklin54gallery.com


SHARON BARTEL-CLEMENTS
The Side of the Road
November 5-28th, 2009
Reception: Nov. 12th, 6-9P

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings, drawings and confluent objects by Sharon Bartel-Clements. “The Side of the Road” conjures up many meanings for us whether real or spiritual and leads us down many paths. Sharon has used actual tire tracks in her paintings and drawings to emphasize the imagery and it works well. As always her paintings are strong and lush with color and movement, painting only with her hands, she digs into these with emotional and energetic markings. The tracks take us up and through the pieces as in Spiracle Exchange #1 – a tumultuous piece where the eye moves in and out through waves of the journey meanwhile immersing us within an ocean of deep blue providing a calming balance. The artist’s use of the circle in this piece brings forth the significance of a beginning and end yet continually moving on and starting over. Red is a prominent color in many of the pieces echoing turmoil, bloodshed and hardship along with a tribal energy. As in life we are taking many roads, some good, some bad leading to enlightened experiences if we can let go and be part of them; this artist encourages us to do so with these works – the emotional connection is here.

The drawings in contrast to the dense paintings are light and airy giving the viewer yet another road to travel on through these imaginative landscapes. Confluent objects make up the remainder of the show including a ladder with a mirror for self-reflection, factices filled with objects that can be found by the side of the road and others relating to symbolic meanings. Whether driving by the side of the road, walking and exploring or traveling down one, Sharon gives a chance to contemplate all of these. Sharon Bartel-Clements lives and works in Santa Fe, NM; her works are included in major institutions internationally.

November gallery hours: Tues-Sat, 11-6

NEW WORKS ON PAPER by TRIPP

These new works on paper by gallery artist Tripp are spontaneous free floating organic shapes of beauty.
Retailing for $200 framed and $185 unframed, these works are very affordable. Size is approx. 11x14" framed. Please contact the gallery for more information or to place an order.



Abstract #5, acrylic on paper



















Abstract #4, acrylic on paper












Abstract #3, acrylic on paper












Abstract #2, acrylic on paper











Abstract #1, acrylic on paper

"THE EASELS", a huge success

Elisa Pritzker, curator for The Easels; Joyce Pommer, Franklin 54 owner; Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator, Critic & Moderator; artist AJ Nadel

Our new project "The Easels" proved to be a huge success in September with works by AJ Nadel and moderator Dominique Nahas. A most interesting dialogue took place between the artist and Mr. Nahas with a captivated audience attending - we had an excellent turnout for the event.

The Easels will continue on November 19th with a new artist and moderator to be announced shortly. We hope you will join us.

INTRODUCING: "THE EASELS" on September 24th, 6-8P

"Quartet", Polaroid photo emulsion & chemical transfers by AJ Nadel







Guest Moderator: Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator and Critic

“The Easels”
Meet the Art/Meet the Artist
Curated by Elisa Pritzker
Featuring AJ Nadel
September 24th, 6-8P

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present a new project called “The Easels” previewing on Thursday September 24th from 6-8P. This new project will continue the 3rd Thursday of every other month and feature small works by one or two gallery artists whose work will coincide with the gallery exhibition for that month. Curator Elisa Pritzker will be selecting the artist and the works and will also moderate a talk with the artist during the evening. We hope to develop communication between the public, the artist and their work in an informal setting opening up an informative session of dialogue. It is a one night only event and allows the gallery another way to offer our artists exposure and where we can also emphasize the focus of the gallery through the artist’s process and stimulate emotional attachment to the work.

Approximately 15 small works will be exhibited on table easels throughout the gallery, for easy viewing by visitors. Our first Easels project will feature works by AJ Nadel- a mixed media artist whose process of Polaroid photo emulsion transfers come together as intriguing images. His process is an interesting one and we are fortunate to have him share it with us. As in “Quartet”, a new piece consisting of Polaroid photo chemical and emulsion transfers combined with enamel paint on panel is an overlapping of facial images peering through different layers. The faces are dissected, fractioned and powerful, coming together as a mysterious piece; the imagery is sophisticated and complex to be viewed over and over to discover the rich detail below. AJ will be present to discuss his work and available for questions.

The next viewing of “The Easels” will take place in November with a new artist.

"Portraits of a Lady" film screening Sept. 10th

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, oil on canvas by Laura Duggan














Franklin 54 Gallery + projects will be having a free screening of "Portraits of a Lady" (about painting Justice Sandra Day O'Connor) on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:45 with a Q&A to follow. This is the documentary short that was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2007.
The 25 portraits were a big hit at the National Portrait Gallery.

Laura Duggan was one of the artists involved and her version will be on view in the current show LAURA DUGGAN Faces & Figures.

Please RSVP to franklin54@rcn.com

LAURA DUGGAN "FACES & FIGURES" September 3-26th

"Not Pierced", oil on canvas


Laura Duggan
Faces & Figures
September 3 – 26th, 2009
Reception September 17th, 6-9P









Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present in our new space in Chelsea, a solo exhibition of new faces and figures by Laura Duggan. In these oil paintings, Laura continues to capture the essence of the model from which all her portraits and figures arise – from life. Her work thrives on the simplicity of the pose and there is honesty about the pieces; they are delicate and perceptive. “The Music Stand” above is an excellent example of this where the figure reflects an innocence and purity in a white slip dress while sitting quietly with her music stand. In this piece, Duggan has begun to use the background more to become an environment for the figure – she sits well here and fits in. In her past work, Laura’s backgrounds have been flat monotone surfaces that have worked well for her Alex Katz style figures but the incorporated backgrounds now start to tell a different story.

Her faces as always are intriguing – we can easily conjure up circumstances that have caught these portraits in time – it is a moment or glimpse into what they might be thinking. Although the facial expressions appear simple and non-telling we want to know their thoughts and become a part of them.

There is a wonderful stillness and subtlety to Duggan’s work and it will be interesting to see where the artist and her friends bring us next.

Joyce Pommer, Director
September gallery hours:
Thursday 10-8P
Friday/Saturday 10-6P & by appt

"FACES" @ Gallery 705 in Stroudsburg, PA

Chuck Close: Phil/ Silk Tapestry








705 Fulmer Avenue
Stroudsburg, PA
www.Gallery705.com


















Nicola Samori: Apollonaire/mixed media