Susan Schwalb, photo essay
Artist Susan Schwalb (LFF October 29, 2014) shares with LFF about her work in Luminous Trace now up at Garvey Simon Art Access thru June 3, 2016.
My primary medium for over 40 years has been the Renaissance technique of silverpoint and metalpoint drawing. Juxtaposing a wide variety of metals (silver, gold, brass, copper, platinum, pewter, bronze and aluminum) I obtain soft shifts of tone and color. Horizontal lines evoke an atmosphere of serenity, and the shimmer of light on the surface, created by the metals, is quite unlike any of the usual effects. Most of the panels in “Luminous Trace” combine metalpoint with unusual colored surfaces (for me) enhancing and changing the color perception of the metals.
I have been working within a square format almost exclusively since 1997. An even grid of narrow horizontal or diagonal lines forms the basic structure and serves as a spatial context for irregular events on the surface.
Most of the works in this show have musical titles, which evolved intuitively. It is not only because I live with a composer and love music, but also because there is a parallel in the fact that music is abstract like my work. My paintings and drawings are always done in series and each work is generally inspired by the piece or pieces created before it. In my last exhibition at Garvey|Simon (in 2013) numerous drawings and paintings used the title of Polyphony, and my new series, entitled Harmonizations, is a simplified version of those works. Harmonizations is made up of 36 squares with one left blank as a metaphor for a new presence or for a mourning of a loss.
Quartet uses as a basis four squares, as in many Polyphony paintings, but instead of layering square on top of square I varied the types of lines (thick vs. thin) in order to add movement to the surface, which also reflects the light.
Diagonal lines divide the picture plane in the series entitled Intermezzo as many different metalpoints are combined with metallic wool pads and graphite; some of these works have a three-dimensional quality as surface events are continued on the sides of the panel.
All the series are a testimony of how the abstract and straight line can create movement and a visual sound, simply through a variety of compositions. What I want the viewer to do when standing in front of my work is to notice all the subtle differences on the surface and to experience the effect of an abstract universe composed of lines and reflections of light.
Susan Schwalb: Luminous Trace
Garvey Simon Art Access, 547 West 27th St. NYC
http://www.garveysimonartaccess.com/exhibitions/susan-schwalb-luminous-trace
A solo exhibition of new work by Susan Schwalb, pioneering American artist of contemporary metalpoint drawing. The show features abstract, linear compositions of mixed metalpoint on colored surfaces, many of which introduce the artist’s new investigation of absence or the void as a constructive element.
Les Femmes Folles is a volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to support and promote women in all forms, styles and levels of art from around the world with the online journal, print annuals, exhibitions and events; originally inspired by artist Wanda Ewing and her curated exhibit by the name Les Femmes Folles (Wild Women). LFF was created and is curated by Sally Deskins. LFF Books is a micro-feminist press that publishes 1-2 books per year by the creators of Les Femmes Folles including the award-winning Intimates & Fools (Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2014) and The Hunger of the Cheeky Sisters: Ten Tales (Laura Madeline Wiseman/Lauren Rinaldi, 2015). Other titles include Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 available on blurb.com, including art, poetry and interview excerpts from women artists. See the latest call for work on the Submissions page!
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