July Issue 2001
Charleston's City Gallery in Charleston, SC, Hosts Works by Sterns & Kelley
The City Gallery
at the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, SC, is currently showing
paintings in gouache by Aija Sterns which will be on view through
July 17. Later in the month, the gallery will present an exhibit
of wood, steel and latex by local artist Edward Venture Kelley
from July 20 through Aug. 21.
In this series entitled, Colours Apart,
Sterns uses the images of marsh and waterscapes found in the South
Carolina Lowcountry. She enjoys the images for their own sake
but also sees the symbolism they provide to describe her observations
of the community of people living here.
Sterns often addresses social issues whether it is verbal abuse
or, in this case, racial concerns. In her works she has black
and white, or pink and brown, and even yellow color designations
represented. In certain circles attention is given to the fine
differences in the shade of color. To Sterns this demonstrates
that segregation between color groups and separateness within
still plays in our community. "Certain colors side by side
can produce disparate results with pain and even bloodshed."
Sterns says. But, She continues, "Sometimes contrasting colors
coexist in harmony."
Aija Sterns, pronounced (I-ya), was born in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were from Latvia, but she was raised in Pennsylvania. She has lived in various locations up and down the Eastern coast of the United States and came to Charleston in 1994.
Sterns received her BFA from Alfred University and her MFA from Rhode Island School of Design. She paints with gouache on paper. Rendered in strong colors, her paintings tend to be abstract with elements of shape, pattern, and contrast. Sometimes a surreal effect can be seen in her paintings. Her images are usually symbolic representations of personal reflections and autobiographical comments on first hand life experiences that often address social issues.
Sterns has had work included in the exhibition,
Erasures, presented at the Old Slave Mart Building in Charleston,
during the 1997 Piccolo Spoleto Festival; the SC Arts Commission's
1998 Triennial Exhibition at the SC State Museum; and most
recently in the Missing World exhibit presented at the
Old City Jail in Charleston, during the 2001 Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
Beginning July 20, Edward Venture Kelley will present works of
wood, steel and latex, which will continue through Aug. 21.
Kelley was born in Greenville, SC, and raised in Easley, SC. In
1994, he moved to Charleston, SC, to attend the College of Charleston
where he studied sculpture and painting. In 1999, Kelley graduated
from the College of Charleston with a BFA degree. Since then,
he has been a participant in several group showings including
the Young Contemporaries at the Halsey Gallery, College
of Charleston.
Kelley comments on his work: "It all comes back to selfishness
- objects made because of what I am thinking about or experiencing
in my life. Some things come from brief encounters with other
people as well as long term thoughts brought on from close friends.
It is hard to put the things I make into one specific subject
category. I cannot say that I make things that all deal with a
specific subject or idea. I never know where the next object is
going to come from. Things change so fast it is hard to hold one
strict line of thought. Some of my work deals with deeply held
emotional, spiritual, and social ideas. Where some works come
from direct encounters, whether brief or long, with people or
objects surrounding me in my life - everything I see, hear, or
feel has an impact on the objects I make. In making sculpture
I try to make sense of a world that surrounds me physically, mentally,
and emotionally. My ideas seem to come from all facets of life
and I hope to keep these facets open. I feel that the world around
me is an integral part of the process and creation. For me, art
is an instrument of expression and I am trying to use it in this
manner."
For more info check our SC Institutional Gallery listings or call the OCA at 843/724-7305.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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