May 2011

Vista Studios in Columbia, SC, Offers Exhibit Focused on One Person

Vista Studios in Columbia, SC, will present the exhibit, It’s All About Faith, featuring works by award-winning artist Barbie Mathis, of her daughter Faith, as well as depictions of Faith Mathis by 20 other local artists and photographers, and works created by Faith herself, on view in Gallery 80808, from May 26 - 31, 2011. A reception will be held on May 26, from 6-9pm.

“The Faith Paintings” are a series by Barbie Mathis that celebrate the individuality and creativity of her daughter, Faith Mathis, an emerging artist who dares to be herself. These paintings and photographs will be the main feature of the show.

Other artists who will have works in the exhibit include: Anastasia Chernoff, Michael Krajewski, Susan Lenz, Ron Marsh, Howard Hunt, Gail Cunningham, Bonnie Goldberg, Lauren Maurer, Roy Paschal, Tam Hicks, Peggy Nunn, Michael Bolin, David Phillips, Palei Leonard, Ingrid Carson, Renee Ittner-McManus, Karen Langley, Rachel Parker, Jonny Mondragon, and Jean Bourque.

Teens in the traditional south are often encouraged by society and/or their peers to conform, and to wear certain styles of clothing in order not to stand out or look different. Faith flouts convention, and embraces sartorial styles ranging from retro-Hollywood glam to steampunk/anime, to her own unique variation on geek-chic. This striking (and occasionally outrageous) visual “look” has made Faith a popular model in the local arts community. She has been a featured model for “About Face” (a group of artists that share a figural model in the Columbia Museum’s studios) and “Go Figure” (a group that formerly met at Village Artists).

Faith, who will also be a featured artist, is currently an Honors and AP student in Visual Arts at White Knoll High School, where she will graduate in June. She has attended summer programs at the Governor’s School for the Arts, and at Tri-DAC hosted by Columbia College, where she has been offered an art scholarship to become a studio arts major in the fall.

Faith’s works include pen and ink on paper with markers or watercolors, mixed media paintings, and a series of sculptures called “My Life in Dolls.” Additionally, she created a life-size sculpture, cast from her own body, which functions as an Ipod speaker. Never one to stifle her opinions, Faith is a vocal advocate for arts education in public schools where she hopes to teach art some day.

Barbie Mathis is a native of Columbia, and has been working as a professional artist since 1980. Her career has constantly evolved, starting as an illustrator and designer, then becoming an acclaimed watercolorist, with an emphasis on natural subject matters and people immersed in rich, dramatic backgrounds. Barbie is a signature member of the South Carolina Watermedia Society (SCWS).

How Long Must I Wait was the first piece of “the Faith Series”, and it was included in the 2009 traveling show for SCWS. Barbie has also exhibited in numerous shows around the state, winning various awards including 1st Place at the Trenholm Artists Guild Show in March, 2011. Her works may be seen in private collections around the country.

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 803/252-6134 or visit (www.vistastudios80808.com).

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