“Painting What We Feel” at the Bellefonte Art Museum, Sept 29 – Nov 26

PRESS RELEASE

“Painting What We Feel: a Collection of Abstract Works of Art”

Opening reception: Sunday, October 1st. 12 – 4:30 p.m.

Artists in the show: Centre County artists include Jean Forsberg, Melinda Harr Curley, Nancy Toepfer, and Susan Graham. Other geographic regions are represented by Holly Rae Taylor of Vermont, Karin Kreuser of Bremen, Germany, and Donald Charles Karwelis of Orange County, California.

Abstract Art can be defined has art work created to achieve its effect without representing external reality but rather using shapes, textures, colors, and brush strokes to convey a message. Abstract Art is bold and energetic focusing on expressive freedom. The works can invoke a variety of reactions from viewers. Some are mesmerizing and others stimulate a thrilling experience. Works included in this show have been created on canvas, some on glass and others on paper.
“Must we not then renounce the object altogether, throw it to the winds and instead lay bare the purely abstract?”, Vasily Kandinsky, 1911.

Artistic independence became a reality during the early years of the 20th century. Although some early 20th Century American and European artists like Kandinsky are credited with first presenting Abstract Art, much of the art of earlier cultures are abstract forms. Decorations on pottery, ceremonial masks, textiles, wall and rock inscriptions and paintings are simple, geometric, and bold abstract representations, which might have had symbolic purpose.

This exhibition demonstrates that abstraction occurs in a continuum; some works include geometric forms and figures while other works defy the inclusion of any recognizable form.

Windows Gallery – 1st Floor

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 12:00 to 4:30 p.m.