James Gemma: A Contemporary Look at Abstract Expressionism
And
Kimberly Varnadoe: The Light Passes Through

Exhibition dates: October 28 - November 30, 2018
Artists reception: Sunday, November 11, 2 – 4 pm
Gallery Hop: Friday, November 2, 7 - 10 pm

James Gemma is exhibiting acrylic paintings on canvas, wood and paper that represent a change in his artistic explorations. Having concentrated in recent years on abstract digital works on paper and hard-edge geometric paintings on wood, this new work takes a fresh look at abstract expressionism from a contemporary perspective. This new approach was inspired by a workshop he attended at Penland School of Arts and Crafts this summer, run by Pinkney Herbert, in which he experimented with a freer, more spontaneous approach to his art. He found this exploration to be both exciting and energizing, and the works in this exhibit all spring from his introduction to these new approaches.

After graduating with advanced degrees from The Ohio State University and careers as university professor and consumer research professional, Mr. Gemma studied art and printmaking at Salem College (under Kimberly Varnadoe), and at Wake Forest University. He also has participated in multiple art workshops at Penland, the Huntington Museum of Art, and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Art. Mr. Gemma served four years as board member of Associated Artists of Winston Salem. As Marketing Chairperson of that group, he created the Practicing Artist Series of lectures and critiques, bringing the participation of nationally known artists to Winston-Salem. He is currently a practicing artist, and has been a member of Artworks Gallery in downtown Winston-Salem since 2009.

Kimberly Varnadoe is exhibiting printmaking works that date back 30 years and new works in instant photography that have been created recently. Light is always a major player in her works. These monoprints, that date from the early 1990’s, have never been exhibited. Varnadoe saw a connection from her earliest works of Light through windows and doorways that she executed years ago to the newest work she is exploring in instant photo-painting. Combining these works in one exhibit brings the theme of light and passage full circle.

Kimberly Varnadoe, Professor of Art at Salem College in Winston-Salem, received her BFA in Painting from the University of South Alabama and her MFA in Printmaking from the University of Memphis. Varnadoe works with experimental photography and advanced printmaking techniques, often combining the two processes in her artwork. She has exhibited her work extensively in North Carolina and in a number of galleries throughout the southeast US. She has been a member of Artworks Gallery, the longest running co-op gallery in Winston-Salem, since 2003 and has served on Artworks Gallery Executive Board since 2007.

 

Attachments:
James Gemma, “Constellation Blue”, acrylic on canvas.
James Gemma, “Conversations”, acrylic on canvas.
James Gemma, “ Spring Thing”, acrylic on canvas.
Kimberly Varnadoe, “Santa Rosa Sun”, monotype with colored pencil.
Kimberly Varnadoe, “Reaching for the Sun”, lithography based monoprint.
Kimberly Varnadoe. “Blue-Green”, Polaroid painting.

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