Opening Reception - Deadpan Works by Tom Bartel and Rachel Clark

River Gallery is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition featuring the captivating works of husband and wife duo, Tom Bartel and Rachel Clark.

Renowned for his expertise as Professor and Ceramics Chairperson at Ohio University, Tom Bartel presents a striking collection of ceramic sculptures. His pieces delve into the depths of the human condition, utilizing surrogates such as dolls, toys, and figurines to construct evocative representations. Themes of disguise, identity, fertility, and mortality are artfully explored, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate narratives woven within each creation.

Complementing Bartel’s sculptures are the mesmerizing portrait paintings by Rachel Clark. Drawing inspiration from her yearbook series, Clark captures raw and sometimes grotesque human moments with playful sincerity. Using oil on panel, she skillfully depicts invented characters, each imbued with humorous childhood memories, American stereotypes, and the whimsy of imaginary companions. Clark’s portraits engage viewers with confrontational gazes and trance-like expressions, inviting them into a world where formal rules are defiantly broken.

Clark shares her inspiration: "I am deeply intrigued by people their stories, their histories, and the intricate narratives that their faces can reveal through portraiture. I embarked on a playful exploration of inventing portraits that reflect a paradoxical inner world, capturing raw and sometimes grotesque human moments akin to a sudden sneeze or scream."

The exhibition promises to captivate audiences with its unconventional yet profound representations of the human experience. Visitors to River Gallery will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of creativity and imagination, where art serves as a mirror to the complexities of existence.