"Oil + Water" mix at Kehler Liddell, reception Fri., May 9

Kehler Liddell Gallery
873 Whalley Ave., New Haven, (203) 389-9555
OIL + WATER
Apr. 24—May 25, 2014.
Artist's Reception: Fri., May 9, 6—9 p.m.
Art Yard Tag Sale, Children's Painting Event: Sat., May 10, starting at noon

Press release from Kehler Liddell Gallery

Kehler Liddell Gallery is pleased to present its spring group show, OIL + WATER, from Thurs., Apr. 24 through Sun., May 25, with an Opening Reception on Fri., May 9 from 6—9 p.m., and a number of events coordinated with Westville’s 17th annual ArtWalk on May 10.

The show will feature work by all 25 Kehler Liddell Gallery member artists: Corina S. Alvarezdelugo, Edith Borax-Morrison, Amy Browning, Frank Bruckmann, Susan Clinard, Penrhyn Cook, Rod Cook, Tom Edwards, Julie Fraenkel, Matthew Garrett, Sara Beth Goncarova, John Harris, Lisa Hess Hesselgrave, Keith Johnson, Sven Martson, Fethi Meghelli, Hank Paper, Jean Perkins, Joseph Saccio, Gerald Saladyga, Alan Shulik, Maureen Squires, Mark K. St. Mary, Gar Waterman, and Marjorie Wolfe.

This unique collaboration of the Gallery's painters, photographers, sculptors, and installation artists presents diverse interpretations of these icons of opposites—oil and water.

"Oil and water. They do not mix, never have, and never will," says Gar Waterman, one of the show’s artists. "Yet they exist together in a myriad of circumstances. In the hands of artists, that complex relationship becomes apt metaphor for the challenges we face in the world today—political, environmental, religious, cultural."

Frank Bruckmann: "Studio Still Life"

Charged with the task of addressing this relationship, KLG artists arrived at different conclusions. Some saw OIL + WATER as representative of that which does not belong, while others considered the idea of separation.

Many participating artists were quick to note that OIL + WATER has an obvious association with the very materials used in the creation of art. "Oil and water don’t mix but can make fascinating play on paper and canvas," says calligrapher Maureen Squires. "You're never quite in control on the surface, always moving, changing, affecting color and light."

OIL + WATER coincides with the 17th annual ArtWalk in the historic Westville Village, May 9 and 10. This community-based arts festival features live music, art exhibitions, demonstrations and studios, interactive art-making for kids and adults, theater & dance, walking tours, and an Artist & Artisan Market.

In addition to the group show, Kehler Liddell Gallery is hosting two special ArtWalk events on Saturday, May 10:

• Art Yard Tag Sale Sat., May 10, noon—4 p.m.:

A great opportunity to stock up on art supplies: canvases, frames, paper, pencils, pens, paints, old gear, art books, magazines, pencil sharpeners, rulers, old frames, old show cards, and odds and ends of all types! The Art Yard Sale will take place in a tent outside the Gallery from noon—4 p.m. Participating artists are donating 80% of the proceeds to support future KLG programming.

• Children’s Event: Oil and Water Painting, Sat., May 10, starting at noon:

Children of all ages are welcome to practice the art of art using oil and watercolor paints, with creative input from KLG member artists Marjorie Wolfe and Corina Alvarezdelugo. Starting at 12 noon.