February is Black History Month and with that comes some new and interesting exhibitions. A few shows are jumping the gun on Women’s History Month and putting women artists in the spotlight as well.
James Brantley, famed contemporary artist and life-long Philadelphian, has work online at Stanek Gallery this month. Billed under the gallery’s new Master Artist Series, his paintings will be on view through February 27th. Both master painter and compelling story-teller, Brantley continues to remain true to his vision and personal identity as an artist. He remains experimental in his approach to painting, employing abstract principles of form and color and more.
A figure and portrait painter, Brantley studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), the Philadelphia College of Art (UArts) and the University of Pennsylvania. He has received many accolades over the years including winning the Hallgarten Prize from the National Academy of Design and the Louis Fine Purchase Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. New works by Brantley are available to purchase through the gallery, and will be featured in an upcoming exhibition in May 2021. See Brantley’s works here.
A four woman show titled “Making Marks: Figural Identity, Transfiguration, And Receptive Tactility” opens on February 13th at Pentimenti Gallery in Old City. It showcases exceptional works by artists who are making their own notable marks in the art world. Helina Metaferia, Alisa Sikelianos-Carter, Nastassja E. Swift and Alanna Airitam explore the convergence of geographical history, belonging, and ancestral identity in this striking show of mixed media works which includes collage, fiber, paintings and photography. Featured in the December 2020 issue of Philadelphia Style Magazine, Airitam uses her talent to challenge stereotypes and question the lack of fair and equal representation of people of color in the arts. All of these women are pushing boundaries in a very good way. Visit here to schedule a private viewing or see the works on Artsy here.
A two woman show is opening on Thursday, February 18th at DaVinci Art Alliance (DVAA) in Philly. “Ebb and Flow” highlights the work of Rosalind Bloom and Sarah Bloom. While this mother and daughter pair take different approaches to making, they both employ a variety of techniques and media to create their art including making use of wood, cellophane, wax, watercolor, moss, embroidery, paper, ceramic tile and even snakeskin. The exhibition includes Sarah’s photography on various substrates and Rosalind’s mixed media collages. By exploring abandoned spaces to stage her photographs, Sarah captures “growth amidst the debris and hope amidst the decay of manmade structures”.
About her work, the younger Bloom said, “As an artist, I am drawn to stories of transformation. These new mixed-media pieces are an extension of my self-portrait photography in abandoned buildings. I transfer those photographic images onto other materials—mostly found and recycled objects. Through this process, I transform not only my original work but the object itself, repurposing it, giving it new life. We grow old. We die. We become something else entirely.” Sarah’s photographs are somewhat darker in tone but are well suited to Rosalind’s brighter works of natural elements abstracted into beautiful collages. Together their works are celebrating nature’s force and vitality. The exhibition will be on view physically, by appointment beginning February 18th at DVAA and as a recorded video tour on DVAA’s website. Register here for the virtual reception via Zoom being held on February 19th and to see the show in its entirety.
Closer to home, Gallery 222 (G222) in Malvern is hosting painters Sue Ciccone and Jan Wier this month for a two woman show. Enjoy Wier’s small paintings of delectable confections and Ciccone’s little regal bee paintings in the online show “The Sweetest Sting” on view through March 6th. If you want to purchase a piece, hurry because the works are going fast. All pieces are available on G222’s online shop and can be picked up before Valentine’s Day. Visit the show here.
Other events worth checking out this week: Tune in to The Art Trust Gallery’s Instagram account this Thursday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m. for the weekly “Eat, Drink and Be Artsy” segment with Liz Ruff and Andrea Della Vecchia. This week’s guest artist is Isaac Scott, one of four artists in the current exhibition “Evident Truth”. He’ll be discussing his recent collaborative work with fellow ceramic artist Justin Rothshank, his political photography and more.
Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!
About Constance McBride
A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.
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