Patrice Lorenz’s impressionist work of the ‘Audubon Ballroom’ — SOLD
Gary Mayer’s ‘Trees, Rock Sky’
Artist and co-owner of Art Up Gary Mayer conversing with visitors on the opening reception of the ‘Rock-Paper-Sissors’ exhibition on Saturday January 27th
By Robert Brune
MARGARETVILLE — After a short winter break Art Up Gallery in Margaretville kicked off the new year with an exciting and provocative exhibition including works from co-owners Patrice Lorenz and Gary Mayer, as well as guests Chris Hughes, Gerde van Leeuwen, Jerry Orter, and Maeve McCool. As usual, Art Up’s opening receptions draw crowds of people with the well-deserved reputation they’ve earned over the past year, since opening their doors in spring of 2023.
Lorenz explains her two pieces in this show “Both of my works relate to the unintended theme of disaster that exudes from the work of each artist in the show.” ‘Audubon Ballroom’ (Pastel and paint on paper) which is a fascinating impressionism version of a historic photo of chairs strewn about in the aftermath of the assassination of Malcom X. Her other piece is ‘Last Waltz’ (Pastel and charcoal on paper) of turbulent waves as the background with subtle images of well-to-do people ballroom dancing spread throughout the foreground. Lorenz suggests it is a depiction of a scene inspired by the sinking of the Titanic and of current corporate America carrying on with their lives as if climate change isn’t a serious concern. Lorenz talks about the mindset of being an artist creating work with relatively heavy subject matter. “It can be troubling, as an artist, to create troubling images and then risk sharing them with an audience. There is a performative aspect to exhibiting one’s work that provokes a kind of stage fright. It’s difficult to let the work go out into the world and speak for itself.” Kudos to Lorenz for selling ‘Audubon Ballroom’ on the opening evening of this show.
Jerry Orter contributes his ‘Disaster Series’ (Graphite sketches) of his interesting black and white tornadoes and the murmuration of birds. This was one of several favorites amongst the opening reception exhibits on display. Gerda van Leeuwan delivers with her (Monoprint and watercolor on paper) blue images of a playful and curious looking dog. Maeve McCool contributed a variety of pieces of fabric art that intrigued the patrons on the opening evening. The ‘Handstand’ work by McCool, draped from the ceiling in the middle of the room, certainly caught everyone’s attention.
Gary Mayer spoke about his 40 year connection with artist Christine Hughes, “Chris and I have known each other since the late 70s in Detroit . My first studio in the Farwell building she took over when I got a place down the block . There was a lot of camaraderie amongst the artists in Detroit then a small but very energetic scene . We both moved to NYC along with a lot of our comrades and oddly enough have ended up in upstate NY. She’s nearer the Hudson with a number of our peers from that Detroit scene, as well” Hughes graces Art Up with her Compost Collage Series #9 and mixed media on paper works of abstract pieces with multilevel dimensions of sketches of ink and what appears to be watercolors. Hughes and Mayer had attended the same art school in Detroit prior to moving to New York.
Finally, Gary Mayer provides more of his works that appear like Dr Seuss creations on hallucinogens. All kidding aside, Mayer’s work is nothing short of genius and his creativity is fascinating beyond imagination with his ‘Trees, Rock Sky’ (Ink and acrylic wash) and black and white series ‘Landscape Inventions’
For more information see: On Instagram @artupmargaretville
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