April 2014

Lowcountry Artists Ltd. in Charleston, SC, Offers Works by Rana Jordahl and Robb Helmkamp

Lowcountry Artists Ltd. in Charleston, SC, is presenting Renewal: New Works by Rana Jordahl and Robb Helmkamp, on view through May 31, 2014.

The exhibit presents works in oil by Rana Jordahl and works in wood by Robb Helmkamp. They will come together to show each of their interpretations of the renewal of Spring.

In recent months, Jordahl has been preoccupied with Spring. During this seemingly endless and harsh winter, she has been pondering the beautiful aspects of Spring’s renewal process: the rebirth of animals, the blooming of flowers that bring delicate green, yellow and pink hues of new leaves, buds and grasses that transform the drab and dirty winter landscape. She has put together a collection of paintings knitted together by the theme of renewal that is undeniable in May in Charleston.

Jordahl, originally from the midwest state of Iowa, earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising which brought her to the south working on accounts as varied as the 1996 Summer Olympics, the US Marine Corps and Norfolk Southern Railroad. It was after the birth of her children that she pursued a career in fine arts. Her work is identifiable by its rich texture of thick oil paint and her use of color in interpreting her subject matter.

Jordahl lives and works in Charleston. Her artwork is represented in private collections nationally and internationally as well as in corporate collections. She is the current President of Lowcountry Artists Ltd. gallery.

Surrounded by creativity and art throughout his childhood, Robb Helmkamp was encouraged to explore his imagination and delve wholeheartedly into his interests. His mother, painter and lifetime potter, Marty Biernbaum, has always been a wealth of inspiration, providing he and his brother freedom which led them to each become artists in their own sculptural medium and master craftsmen. The creative energy within a family of artists is unparalleled and with this encouragement Helmkamp has been making and designing furniture for over 10 years.

Reaching an understanding in the correlation between metal and wood in the past few years, has been a pivotal point in Helmkamp’s furniture and sculptural accomplishments. Personal relationships are continually being explored through the connections between materials and proportions in his work. Refined curves and accentuated negative space are joined by a seamless combination of aluminum and wood, creating sleek elegance in Helmkamp’s latest body of work. For this show, he has developed imagery and functional objects that embody the renewal of spring.

Helmkamp earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations before discovering his true passion of designing and creating beautiful wood objects. He has run his own company, Kampstudio, ever since completing a degree in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College. His work can be found in galleries and private collections across the country. The North Carolina mountains are home to Helmkamp, his wife Carrie and his wood shop.

Lowcountry Artists Ltd. gallery is one of the oldest galleries in downtown Charleston, celebrating its 32nd year in business. All pieces of the Renewal show from these two artists will be available for viewing and sale.

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/577-9295 or visit (www.lowcountryartists.com).

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