March Issue 2001
Cameo Fine Art in Columbia, SC, Presents Works by Two Abstract Expressionists
Who says a gallery can't have two shows in one? Not us at Cameo Fine Art in Columbia, SC. We are pleased to be featuring an exhibition of two illustrious ladies in abstract expressionism, Janette Grassi and Liisa Salosaari Jasinski. The shows will be in the main gallery beginning Mar. 22 and will remain on view until Apr. 12.
Janette Grassi
OK, now your saying, Who is Janette Grassi? Grassi is probably the only woman I know who actually built a boat with her own two hands (along with a little help from an old acquaintance). In fact, she enjoyed her involvement so much on building a boat, she decided to paint a story about it using abstract iconography. She describes a boat to be, "a vessel, a container if you will, to get from place to place. It is a metaphor for life and a journey from terrifying places to calm water". In this series, new works draw from old memories of living near the sea and the beauty and complexity of nautical imagery. Each painting was created in the last six months consisting of oil on paper and oil on canvas on a variation, of sizes. Grassi's work is intense with imagery and strong variations in color. Her influences come from Jackson Pollock and Kandinsky.
Still not enough information for you? How about some biographical information? Grassi is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and has studied at many prestigious schools such as, Webster College, St. Louis, MO, and Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, just to name a few. All of her studies have revolved around art: Graphic Design, Photography, Sculpture, Art History and the whole nine yards. She has been a professional artist since 1992 when she opened up a studio in Columbia. She is represented in the collections of The Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, Columbia College, Columbia. SC, Richland Memorial Hospital, in Columbia, and works are also included in aver 60 private collections throughout the US and Europe.
Liisa Salosaari
Jasinski
The succeeding artist on display comes from a very different yet interesting background. Liisa Salosaari Jasinski, is a native of Helsinki, Finland where she attended the University of Helsinki receiving her Master of Arts degree in Psychology. After graduating, she came to the United States as an Au Pair and lived for a year with a family in the New York suburbs. The arrangement made it possible for her to study Bioenergetic Analysis under Alexander Lowen, M.D. She continued her studies and soon became a permanent US resident and pursued a career in Psychology including moving to NC. Her career as an artist began in 1992 after traveling around the world visiting galleries and museums for inspiration. Although she is autodidact as an artist, her artistic abilities have developed by influences such as Klee, Kandinsky and Miro. These artists helped pave the way to Jasinski's very own interpretation of abstract expressionism.
Fearless Introspection is the theme of Jasinski's most recent paintings. Each painting represents various, exploratory visits to the artist's inner being. The mediums are oil on canvas or wood, mixed water media (acrylic, watercolor crayon) on board. Despite the personal nature of the theme, these paintings are meant to work both ways: as personal illustrations and mirrors reflecting the viewer's own mind. "To really see what is inside, one must have courage, sometimes remarkable courage. Artist's inner life is the lens through which he/she sees the object of his/her work. Self-knowledge polishes and clarifies the lens, and images with sharper focus, deeper perspectives, are born."
Both of these precocious artists have risen above and beyond the limits to present this exhibit at Cameo Fine Art. The work is inspiring and invigorating. Although there are two shows, or two themes taking place simultaneously, the energy and the gift of abstract expressionism is evident in both artists' work and is the most common similarity.
FYI, One last thing I forgot to mention, both of these women were participants in the Palmetto Tree project sponsored by the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, They were selected by an independent jury panel along with 88 other artist from 160 submissions throughout the state to participate in this project which will reflect the creative strength and diversity of the community.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings or call the gallery at 803/799-8869.
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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