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March Issue 2005
Rabold Gallery in Aiken, SC, Features Works by Chris Cardelli
Rabold Gallery in Aiken, SC, presents The Residual Series, an exhibition of new mixed media originals on paper by Chris Cardelli of Aiken, from Mar. 17 to Apr. 16, 2005. The exhibition includes 15 new works that further embody this emerging artist's interest in the unobserved and abandoned.
"The Residual Series culminates my desire to comment on the overlooked areas of life," says Cardelli. "Over the years this has become a recurring theme in my choice of subject matter as well as technique." The artist integrates original charcoal drawings with patches of original photography, mixing in newsprint, color and texture. The juxtaposed images of seemingly unrelated remnants in original compositions create a narrative of their own making. "As a final part of the creative process, it's fitting that I have no control in ultimately defining this new story," said Cardelli. "In my eyes, that's a big part of what art is about."
The choice of media is important to the artist's function. "I choose to work with mixed media because it reinforces the conceptual underpinnings of my work," said Cardelli. "I primarily use charcoal and Gesso because of their simplicity. My photography, excerpts from disregarded components around me, is incorporated into print elements that I assemble using various methods. This, coupled with an affinity for chance, results in a statement that addresses my concern for an honest commentary amidst our daily routine."
The contemplative portraiture in the series drives each piece in an individual direction. Because the portraits are based on old, original photographs of women, the pieces are evocative of the early to middle decades of the twentieth century. Those original images established the context and inspiration for the entire body of work. Together, the newly rendered portraits make a larger statement about being female during that period in American history.
"Excavated from several discarded photos and family portraiture I've collected over the years, the portraits exemplify my interest in elevating the neglected," Cardelli said. "This series specifically recognizes women as I found their expressions to be incredibly powerful in terms of beautiful ambiguity. Each face has its own story that engages unique associations with the collaged elements to form completely individual meanings."
Cardelli says his father, an artist, has played a very important role in his life, both as an artist and a person. He also is inspired by innovators and those he believes are working from a more "honest" source of inspiration. "Kathe Kollwitz, Mark Rothko, Egon Schiele, Ben Shahn and Robert Rauschenberg are also artists that, from day one, I felt were cutting though the noise and tapping into what human expression and sincere, true emotion is all about," said Cardelli.
Cardelli earned a BFA in illustration and graphic design from East Carolina University School of Art in Greenville, NC, and participated in a study abroad program in Gubbio, Italy. Through a juried, national review, he interned for Harper's Magazine. As a graphic designer, he has won one national award and more than 20 regional awards for outstanding design. He previously has shown in an exhibition at East Carolina University.
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