LEMONT — The Figurative Exhibition, featuring the works of 48 of the area’s most talented visual artists, has opened at the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania, located on Pike Street in Lemont. The show runs through Sunday, March 20.
Chuck Fong, who serves on the Art Alliance’s executive committee, chairs the show, while photographer Pat Little acted as juror. The styles, textures, colors and mediums that make up the show, which has more than 50 pieces of art, makes for a varied and complex exhibit. ‘This is always a good show due to the diversity,’ said artist Mark Messenger.
Messenger’s charcoal drawing of a nude female figure, like much of the displayed work, got its start in the Art Alliance’s Thursday evening figurative classes. The idea of the human form runs through the show. Each piece, whether realistic, expressionistic or abstract, focuses on the physical nature of humanity.
Fong, a well-recognized local photographer, presents a 3-D piece he calls “Homage to Degas.”
‘It’s kind of like looking through a peephole,’ said Fong. And, yes, the viewer looks thorough a peephole, after stepping on a ladder to properly see the piece.
Fong’s piece took an honorable mention, as did Tom Mickle’s untitled nude and Jim Mikkelson’s wood sculpture, “Monique.”
Mikkelson’s cherry figure appears as though it emerges from a polished board, while Mickle used pastel and ink to depict his figure.
‘I did it fairly quickly,’ Mickle said. ‘The oil pastels resist the ink. So, I used the pastels first and the ink becomes the background because it won’t go over the pastel.”
Mickle’s daughter, Lee Mickle, also has a painting in the show. She painted her acrylic piece for a class at the Delta School and entered it into the exhibit. Her depiction of a seated figure, holding a viewing screen of some sort while surrounded by urban imagery, seems surreal and particularly sophisticated for a high school student.
Photographer Linda Hale’s arresting black-and-white photo, “Crouching,” focuses on a female figure, eyes outlined in black and staring at the viewer while perched on a wooden stool. Hale said she used a single light source and a black background, which contribute to the definition and mood of the third place-winning photo.
‘I wanted something intense,’ Hale said, ‘so she looks anxious, but not afraid. She’s in control of the situation.”
An oil painting called “Café,” by David Charriere, won first place in the exhibit. Taking second place was “1944” by Gloria Plosky Scaltz.
Juror Little likely had a challenging task selecting winners from the rich offerings seen in this show. It celebrates humanity in all manner of moods, shades and forms and has plenty to charm, intrigue and even puzzle viewers.
