November Issue 2000
Osmosis Group to Exhibit at Vista Studio's Gallery 80808 in Columbia, SC
3x6, an exhibit
of large scale primary works by members of the painters' group
Osmosis will be on display at the Vista Studios Gallery 80808
in Columbia, SC, through Nov. 11, 2000.
Osmosis is composed of six SC midlands painters: Eileen Blyth,
Eleanor Craig, Charles Dillingham, Jeff Donovan, Tom Ogburn and
Laura Spong. The 3x6 show consists of paintings created
specifically for this exhibit, all in a three-panel triptych format.
This will be the first time these artists have exhibited their
paintings collectively as Osmosis.
The idea for a showing of large scale paintings in triptych form came to Laura Spong and Jeff Donovan as they were driving to Lancaster, SC, to attend one of the group's exhibitions. Creating a strong group show is a risky thing, as many times disparate styles, treatments and methods of various painters do not allow for a sense of continuity. "Laura had been thinking about doing a triptych and we as a group had been thinking of how to unify our next show," explains Donovan. "The triptych seemed to be the answer, and I have found it quite interesting to work on this large a scale." Eileen Blyth laughs and adds, "I think three is way too many... In reality though, it could be three or it could be six. I'm putting paint on canvas and I'm having a damned good time."
Each member has completed one large, five-foot
by eight-foot painting consisting of three panels for the central
exhibition area. All other works in the 3x6 show are triptychs
as well, although the additional paintings are left to the individual
artists to interpret from traditional to contemporary structure
of the triptych form.
"I found it extremely challenging and enjoyable to work this
large," says Spong. "I am looking forward to seeing
the works hung together. I think it will be a strong exhibit.
The group seemed very much of one mind in planning this show.
It feels to me like we have come of age as a working group."
Osmosis was formed in the spring of 1998 as a collaborative think-tank of artists. Last year's exhibit, Against the Grain, a showing of woodcut prints, also opened at Gallery 80808, where members Spong and Dillingham have studio spaces adjacent to several other talented midlands artists. This woodcut show then toured the Carolinas, appearing at Francis Marion University, USC-Lancaster, USC-Aiken and the Blue Pony Gallery in Charlotte NC. "I was really pleased with the reception we received for the Against the Grain woodcut exhibit," says Tom Ogburn. "It was a great start for us and we still have the ability to mount that show at future venues, as we hope to do with this new 3x6 exhibit of our paintings."
Eleanor Craig, one of the original 12 members, rejoined Osmosis after taking a break from the group to begin teaching art. Craig states that "I feel pretty daring at this moment. Daring because I am opening myself up to work that wants to flow through me. The triptych, three, is ancient, it's archetypal. Embracing this format has been a very natural process for me."
"Eleanor is a wonderful artist whose work I first saw in 1990 at Clark Ellefson's initial opening of meteor gallery," says Ogburn. "She and Charles Dillingham, our newest member, add a tremendous amount of energy, commitment and maturity to Osmosis, both as painters and as participants in our group process and direction."
The group functions as both a creative environment
in which the members exchange ideas and critique each others'
work, and as a combined effort to promote the individual members'
works and manage touring exhibits within the region. They have
established a website for Osmosis at (http://eblyth.home.mindspring.com/osmosis.htm).
For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings
or contact Tom Ogburn at 803-432-2410 and e-mail at (tomogburn@yahoo.com)
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