June 2013

Hillsborough Gallery of Arts Offers Works by Pat Merriman, Susan Hope, and Brian Merganthaler

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts in Hillsborough, NC, will present Presentment, featuring paintings in oil and acrylic by Pat Merriman, Susan Hope’s new works of scrap glass and repurposed materials, and Brian Merganthaler’s unique

sculptures of salvaged metal, on view from June 25 through July 21, 2013. A reception will be held on June 28, from 6-9pm.

In this exhibition, at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, three artists present new work which explore the significance of change, transition, conservation and renewal. In her paintings, Pat Merriman honors life transitions and shifts. She looks back in order to look forward to the future. “Always a colorist, my still life paintings reflect backward glances at pottery with memories of childhood. The nature/landscape scenes reflect the future. They represent new ways to hold a brush/palette knife and strokes that save my back and energy. The nature scenes also reflect a synergy between the abstract and the representational. I want viewers to see some essence, the spirit, of what I and they see when we are viewing our world, the world I choose to share with others. “

Susan Hope’s new glassworks combine her history as illustrator with her passion for repurposing materials. “One of my greatest joys is making something out of nothing. There is great satisfaction in repurposing something and being an illustrator at heart I find combining the two absolutely mesmerizing. From original pen and ink drawings are created three dimensional cast glass blocks which are then framed in discarded drawers, window sashes, boxes or some other miscellaneous item that called for rebirth. ‘Presentment’…the way in which something is presented gives the item credibility.”

“Scrap glass, old wooden frames and broken drawers take on a new meaning and life as they are used to frame, hold and present the images,” says Hope. “Things that have been forgotten will be remembered again. I hope to salvage and protect bits of the past that has created our present lives and leads to our future. Re –using discarded items justifies their existence and breathes life and hope into what might otherwise have been forgotten.”

Brian Merganthaler will be presenting his newest award-winning whimsical found-object sculptures. “I have a life-long passion for forgotten mechanical antiques. I became fascinated with antiques machinery as a child fixing equipment for my father’s junk business. I primarily use found, salvaged, discarded, broken pieces in my artwork. I create whimsical pieces aimed at animating the work with the personality of the repurposed materials as well as the energy of people I’ve known, past and present.”

Merganthaler began the works for this exhibit by gathering objects already found in his studio. Among them are; gears from an antique cash register, vintage roller skates, a giant box of upholstery nails. “The inspiration for my work comes from the pieces I find as well as people I’ve known and animals I wish were real. I enjoy breathing new life into something that has become obsolete or too tattered to enjoy.

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 22 local artists, the gallery represents established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The gallery’s offerings include acrylic and oil painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber, jewelry, glass, metals, mosaics, encaustic, enamel, watercolor, and wood.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 919/732-5001 or visit (www.hillsboroughgallery.com).

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