Whether it’s in the dreamlike, epic landscapes of Judith Brandon, the poetic figures of Stanka Kordic or the architectural, sculptural glass forms of Michael Mikula, light plays an essential role in visual art.
Opening June 3, Intrinsic Luminescence captures three artists’ techniques in creating a sense of inner light that is both inspiring and breathtaking. Curator Ross Lesko explains his motivation behind building an exhibition around this theme, and what he hopes will stay with each visitor after exploring the works of these three talented artists.
What thought process was behind the inspiration for this exhibition’s unique theme?
The three artists featured in this exhibition all have a sense of luminescence, or an interior radiance, emanating from within their work. I thought it would be interesting to build an exhibition around this theme, to highlight how each artist uses this element and draw connections between them.
How did you select the artists featured?
I was familiar with each of these artists’ body of work and recognized several overlapping elements. Each artist has an improvisational nature, inherent in their differing media, as well as their artistic natures. Michael Mikula crafts three-dimensional objects, Stanka Kordic focuses on the figure, and Judith Brandon creates landscapes. Yet each of these artists employs light and varying levels of abstraction to define their exceptional, powerful works.
Could you tell us more about the techniques employed by the three artists to create a sense of inner light in their artwork?
Stanka Kordic and Judith Brandon, while employing different media (oil paint and ink/charcoal/pastel respectively), both artists utilize a time consuming, labor-intensive process that involves many layers - and often the removal of layers - to achieve their finished work. As a glass artist, Michael Mikula’s process is quite different, though it can involve the layering of color over the clear molten glass that begins each piece.
How does light enhance the viewer’s experience?
Light plays an essential role in visual art, giving life to a piece, and conveying mood and atmosphere. In painting, light can transform a two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional world. Have you ever stood before a landscape, still-life or portrait that employed admirable draftsmanship, and yet it felt dead or lifeless? Did the artist set out to create a wall decoration, or a window into his or her subjective world of perception? Light can draw the viewer into a piece, not only in painting, but in sculptural works as well - compelling the viewer to connect with the light and life that emanates from within.
How do you hope viewers will connect with and respond to the interplay of light, life and craftsmanship presented in this exhibition?
The pieces in this exhibition are exceptionally powerful. I hope that viewers will appreciate the work while they view the exhibition, and that some resonance of the artwork will stay with them, like a line of poetry, or a melody from a song that reemerges, for days afterward.
Exhibitions presented with support from the Wendel Family Fund of the Fairfield County Foundation and Patrick & Brenda Smith.
Opening June 3, Intrinsic Luminescence captures three artists’ techniques in creating a sense of inner light that is both inspiring and breathtaking. Curator Ross Lesko explains his motivation behind building an exhibition around this theme, and what he hopes will stay with each visitor after exploring the works of these three talented artists.
What thought process was behind the inspiration for this exhibition’s unique theme?
The three artists featured in this exhibition all have a sense of luminescence, or an interior radiance, emanating from within their work. I thought it would be interesting to build an exhibition around this theme, to highlight how each artist uses this element and draw connections between them.
How did you select the artists featured?
I was familiar with each of these artists’ body of work and recognized several overlapping elements. Each artist has an improvisational nature, inherent in their differing media, as well as their artistic natures. Michael Mikula crafts three-dimensional objects, Stanka Kordic focuses on the figure, and Judith Brandon creates landscapes. Yet each of these artists employs light and varying levels of abstraction to define their exceptional, powerful works.
Could you tell us more about the techniques employed by the three artists to create a sense of inner light in their artwork?
Stanka Kordic and Judith Brandon, while employing different media (oil paint and ink/charcoal/pastel respectively), both artists utilize a time consuming, labor-intensive process that involves many layers - and often the removal of layers - to achieve their finished work. As a glass artist, Michael Mikula’s process is quite different, though it can involve the layering of color over the clear molten glass that begins each piece.
How does light enhance the viewer’s experience?
Light plays an essential role in visual art, giving life to a piece, and conveying mood and atmosphere. In painting, light can transform a two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional world. Have you ever stood before a landscape, still-life or portrait that employed admirable draftsmanship, and yet it felt dead or lifeless? Did the artist set out to create a wall decoration, or a window into his or her subjective world of perception? Light can draw the viewer into a piece, not only in painting, but in sculptural works as well - compelling the viewer to connect with the light and life that emanates from within.
How do you hope viewers will connect with and respond to the interplay of light, life and craftsmanship presented in this exhibition?
The pieces in this exhibition are exceptionally powerful. I hope that viewers will appreciate the work while they view the exhibition, and that some resonance of the artwork will stay with them, like a line of poetry, or a melody from a song that reemerges, for days afterward.
Exhibitions presented with support from the Wendel Family Fund of the Fairfield County Foundation and Patrick & Brenda Smith.
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