d berman gallery is pleased to present the work of two Austin artists using source materials in completely different ways.

Gladys Poorte says of her new series, Unavoidable Outcome: “My paintings are constructions of concrete objects that refer to an elusive narrative. I arrive at my paintings by an intuitive process. I create set-ups using a variety of common every day objects such as tools, hardware, toys, plastic gadgets, etc. I arrange them in elaborate settings and then paint these from life. The objects are selected by their shape, color, material, weight or weightlessness, softness or sharpness, opaqueness or transparency, etc. to bring out associations that are different from the objects’ actual function. These items then become something else; they transform in the way bricks, when assembled, form a new building. In my recent paintings I’ve added objects I create myself. I use clay, paper, fabric, etc. to make new forms which introduce new connotations. Clay objects add an organic element to the mix. Their soft forms that show the human hand contrast with the manufactured things in the group. Light, airy paper shapes stand next to heavy metal hardware. Handmade and factory made things share the stage to suggest an underlying narrative. I let the paintings dictate themselves: the kinds of objects included, the environment, the light. The narratives evoked by the paintings refer to themes of authority and submission, religion, oppression and rebellion, relationships among members of society, human comings and goings. The world is a complicated place. My role is that of an observer, someone watching from a distance trying to figure out what it’s all about.”

Sarah Greene Reed says of her new series, On the Dot: “This body of work picks up where my Well Rounded series left off. Both were created digitally, collaging such disparate elements as fabric, fruit, doodles, bottle caps, zippers, and wire. In Well Rounded, I question the tradition of limiting pictures to a rectangular format by creating a series of oval and circular collages. These collages were then printed on rectangular paper and framed traditionally. In On the Dot, I scrap the rectangle entirely and am making perfectly circular collages to be printed and framed in circles. By tweaking the format, I’ve challenged myself to approach composition in a new way. In addition, On the Dot addresses the formal issue of color. Twelve of the collages are arranged in a circle, mimicking the color wheel while referring to the hours on a clock. Each work is intended to be viewed against others, working with the collage above and below, as well as its diagonal counterpart. Another group of eight collages progress from light to dark, while traveling across the spectrum of color. In On the Dot, I stretch myself in terms of source material. Feeling a bit removed from the physicality of traditional painting by working digitally, I began reverse painting on glass for fun and found that by scanning the results, a fresh dimension was added to the work. The impetus for this show was to focus on the circle. The result, for me, was to look at composition in a new way and to revel in the subtleties of color.”

d berman gallery
1701 Guadalupe Street
Austin, Texas 78701
512.477.8877
Regular gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 - 6 & by appointment
Summer gallery hours (July & August): Tuesday – Saturday, 12 – 5 & by appointment

For high-resolution images and other information to accompany these exhibitions, please see our press website at http://www.dbermangallery.com/press access page.htm. The press site includes links to both the current and upcoming shows. For any other information or materials, please email Anastasia Colombo at anastasia@dbermangallery.com.

d berman gallery is wheelchair accessible. Unless otherwise noted, all events and exhibits are open and free to the public.