Robert Bohné at Church Street Gallery
The number of galleries which dot the Brandywine Valley is truly stunning to behold. There has been a renaissance of art curation, advocacy, and promotion in the region which provides a unique setting for artists and art lovers alike. The Church Street Gallery has been a strong force in this movement for almost a decade, providing a home for the work of local artists. Its advocacy and curation stands out, with new shows throughout the year to entice visitors.
Robert Bohné has been part of the Church Street Gallery since the beginning. “I had the honor of being the first artist to show at the Church Street Gallery when they opened their doors in 2014, and I’ve been showing there every other year since,” Bohné says. With his new show, Appreciations, he brings fresh perspective and views to the gallery. “For me, it’s an opportunity to review the evolution of my work,” he says, “pull what I consider to be the best pieces, and share them with collectors and the public.”
In Appreciations, light radiates from the vivid oils and dramatic landscapes. “I believe the show will mean different things to different people, but it’s always interesting to see several years of work matted and framed in a gallery environment,” Bohné explains. While Bohné’s artwork has been valued by collectors and curators for decades, seeing the show in its entirety provides a unique context.
For example, in Bohné’s personal favorite piece, “Welcome to the Hook,” the dramatic colors of the clouds of steam almost seem to be reflecting from another artwork, perhaps “Marigolds,” rather than the sun. Shadowy woods hide the unknown in some works, while the details are enhanced and put in focus in others.
Bohné has been a mainstay of the local art scene for many years, in the talented company of other Brandywine Valley artists. “The first major exhibit that I attended was in the early 60’s at PAFA,” he says. “It was a show of the work of Andrew Wyeth.” It was a transformative moment for Bohné. “I was about ten, and I remember getting yelled at by a guard for touching one of Wyeth’s paintings.”
“There was no doubt in my mind after seeing that show, that I was going to be an artist,” Bohné explains. While he and Wyeth never had a chance to meet, the impact of the esteemed artist pervades Bohné’s work. Like so many artists of our region, the Brandywine Tradition enriches their creations. “The influence will always be there.”
The exhibition has a simple message, according to Bohné. Appreciations is about, well, appreciating. Appreciating art, appreciating the natural world, appreciating the moments that take your breath away. As the artist puts it, he hopes visitors to the show come away with the realization “that you can find beauty everywhere you look.”
Appreciations, a solo exhibition by Robert Bohné, is on view at The Church Street Gallery now through January 7th, 2023. The Church Street Gallery is located at 12 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA. More information can be found at ChurchStreetGalleryWC.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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