Ron EA Powell - REAP13
Interpretive Realms
January 8 - January 29, 2010
Reception:
Thursday January 14, 2010 6-8 PM
Press Release
Ron EA Powell mixes a variety of textures, techniques and styles in his haunting yet strangely tranquil paintings. The sensuous faces of his subjects are often framed by painterly brushwork and expressionist flourishes, but whatever amalgam of techniques he uses, Ron's concern is always the emotional impact of his portraits. At times pensive, contemplative or unabashedly fervent, Ron's subjects reveal themselves to us while remaining enigmatic.
This quality of mystery is suggested primarily through Ron's visual strategy of hiding the specifics of his subjects' eyes in shadow. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then these mask-like faces, which seem alien yet also familiar, act as our mirrors and become receptive to our emotional responses. These are people who have gained dignity by surviving life's traumas, and display a hard-won serenity. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see our own triumphs and tragedies here, as Ron EA Powell's portraits reveal an aesthetic philosophy committed to evoking honestly raw psychological states.
Artist Statement
Art is a vital part of my life. It is how I express my emotions and deal with my experiences. As a result, it is a personal reflection of me and of the things that have influenced me. For example, I believe the strong and bold use of color in the Caribbean culture is reflected in my paintings, while residing in New Jersey has helped in molding my subject matter and compositions. The combination of my past and my inner life works with my art to construct an entire world on canvas, which I hope my audience will appreciate and feel that they can enter as well.
Invitation to the exhibition
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Artists in this exhibition
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