There truly is an endless source of inspiration to be found in the gorgeous vistas of the Brandywine Valley. Beloved by artists for centuries for the soft rolling hills, hidden ponds, and enticing trails, the area continues to create beauty, both in person and reflected via art. Nowhere can that be found more this month than at the new exhibit at Gallery 222 in Malvern. The Rhoda Kahler & Bill Sweeney Show, which opens March 9th and runs through April 2nd, showcases the heritage of the Brandywine Tradition and how it continues to evolve.
Bill Sweeney is a popular name among local art lovers, and you don’t have to look far to find the inspiration for many of his works. “Almost all my paintings in the show are of Ring Farm in Chadds Ford,” Sweeney says. “These are among my favorites of the several dozen works I have painted there in recent years.” Ring Farm has been painted hundreds, if not thousands of times, by artists over the years, and Sweeney continues that legacy. “I find the sights, the smells, and the sounds of the farm very attractive. I enjoy the quiet, interrupted only by the sounds of birds or the winds through the high grasses or the occasional farm cat demanding a few seconds of attention.”
A drive down Ring Road is always a sight to behold—as long as there hasn’t been any heavy rain for a few days! But clear the low bridge and the sights unfold at every turn. As Sweeney eloquently puts it, “The shapes and values of the farm are just so interesting. The uncut and just-cut grasses, the hay bales, the wildflowers, or the stones in the wall in need of repair are disorganized, but there is an order within the randomness.” Sweeney notes that he sounds philosophical when talking about his inspiration. “The physicists call that chaos. That fascinates me.”
While Sweeney’s pastel landscapes are natural extensions of the classic Brandywine Tradition of art, Kahler finds inspiration in the same natural world but with very different results. Kahler is a ceramic sculptor and tile artist. In this show her pieces include stoneware and porcelain mounted on wood panels, then glazed in a painterly way. When asked about her inspiration, she notes, “Nature and the real world are always an inspiration for me. It could be either hiking on the trail, or walking in the city. There will always be a texture, or found object lying in front of me that will inspire me.”
Kahler’s approach to her work requires that inspired moment. “I create with a guttural instinct. I keep working in a series until I’ve ‘said’ what I needed to say, or expressed what I needed to feel.” Kahler has been sharing her process of inspiration and creation with fans and collectors beyond exhibitions using social media. For her favorite piece included in the show, “Juicy,” a large two-foot-square piece of porcelain-covered tile, she documented her step-by-step creation on Instagram @rhodakahlerstudio. “It was nice to share my process on social media and show both the physical and creative work that goes into each piece.” The work definitely paid off, as the vivid piece reminds viewers of both colorful sunsets and, as Kahler notes, something a bit more earthbound: “It has the delicious feeling of candy or, more specifically, sugary gum drops. You must see it in person to experience its sweet contemporary taste.”
Kahler and Sweeney both have collectors and appreciative audiences which go far and wide, but are excited to bring these pieces to local art lovers. As Kahler puts it, “There are so many wonderful artists [in Chester County] and its such a supportive group of both artists and collectors. We all tend to know each other and support each, either other on social media or attending shows or exhibitions, and I’m very grateful to be a part of this culture in Chester County.”
“We travel the world to see great art,” Kahler says. “The arts tell the stories and create culture and give memories to those who visit. Whether you are traveling to a remote village or city, anywhere in the world, look to the artists as the history tellers.” In a region with such a celebrated and rich history, the artists have certainly taken up this mantle. “The artists of Chester County tell its story and its history. Great artists in the past are celebrated. We must remember to support our local arts and preserve our culture.”
Sweeney notes a specific piece in the show as his favorite, which ties in to Kahler’s statement of local support. “Clearing the Pond” is a view toward the farmhouse from the far side of the pond on Ring Farm, the early sunlight breaking to show the colors of wetland and freshly cleared high grasses. “Perhaps the message I would like visitors to consider is how much beauty there is in the very simple yet ever-changing shapes and colors of nature as seen on a farm.”
Gallery 222 is located at 222 East King Street, Malvern, PA. A public Artist Reception for this show will be held on Thursday, March 10th, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. More information can be found at Gallery222Malvern.com.
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
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