PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin
Shapes & Shadows: Still-Life Paintings, 1994-2003
17 October - 15 November, 2003
Reception for the artist: Friday, October 17, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
LA Louver is pleased to present a rare exhibition of paintings by Sandra
Mendelsohn Rubin, created over the past decade, and marking her first
solo exhibition since 1992.
THE EXHIBITION
Shapes and Shadows: Still-Life Paintings 1994-2003, represents the work
Rubin has made since her move from Santa Monica to Northern California
in 1989. With the combined change of environment and the rigors of working
out-of-doors, Rubin brought her painting inside. In the controlled environment
of her studio, Rubin discovered anew everyday objects for her subject
matter. By exploring "the physical immediacy of things" in these
closely observed still-lifes, Rubin was able to reconnect with her interest
in the drama of light, form and shadow. Her choice of subject ranges from
the intuitive, to the personal, to the formal, made up of the matter of
life.
In these works, Rubin has continued her practice of painting from direct
observation, in front of the still life set-up. First she creates a drawing,
which is then interpreted in oils, as a finely detailed painting. On occasion,
a larger canvas will be brought forth from these small-scale works. This
exhibition includes three such painting companions: Sledge Hammer with
Light Bulbs; Radio Flyer & Rocks, and Gourds & Peppers.
Also moved by a desire to use pure color in her work (unmixed to show
the spectrum of light), Rubin has created a series of twelve small paintings
(each measures only 6 1/8 x 10 inches). Depicting disparate objects, collected
far and wide, each canvas focuses on a particular color from the artist's
color wheel. Larger canvases that address the extreme ends of the spectrum
-- black and white, accompany the small works.
LA Louver is pleased to announce the publication of a boxed portfolio
of limited edition giclée prints, which are based upon the twelve
color wheel paintings.
THE ARTIST
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin studied at UCLA
in the late 1970s, with such artists as William Brice, James Valerio,
and the late James Doolin, with whom she became a close friend. From this
early stage, Rubin developed a distinctive
landscape style, which garnered both public and critical acclaim. In 1980,
she received the Young Talent Purchase Award from the Los Angeles County
Museum of Art, and a year later was awarded a grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts. With this support, Rubin began to produce still
lifes and urban landscape scenes. The artist's first solo show was held
at LA Louver in 1982. This was followed by solo exhibitions at LACMA,
and Fischer Fine Art, London in 1985; Claude Bernard Gallery, New York
in 1987, and LA Louver in 1992. While Rubin has participated in group
show since this time, Shapes & Shadows: Still-Life Paintings 1994-2003
is the artist's first solo exhibition in eleven years and only the sixth
in her lifetime.
A 70-page, full color catalogue, with foreword by Kimberly Davis and essay
by Noriko Gamblin accompanies the exhibition.
LA Louver is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Validated
parking available.
For further information and visuals please contact Elizabeth East,
LA Louver Gallery
45 North Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
telephone 310-822-4955; fax 310-821-7529;
e-mail elizabeth@lalouver.com; www.lalouver.com.
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