Many casual observers feel that they lack the background or knowledge to appreciate abstract art.
One stop at the Art Alliance on Pike Street in Lemont this week will dispel that notion.
The Abstraction Show opened last week and will run through Sunday, Nov. 17, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a brilliant array of oils, acrylics, watercolors, sculpture, photography and fabric art.
It even includes a seldom-seen, but intriguing medium called ‘encaustic,’ which artist Sue Lacey describes as “a method using hot beeswax, resin and pigments.’ Her piece ‘In the Land of Pink and Grey” features soft colors, solidified by the angles she uses.
Much of the work in this show features soft colors, gentle curved lines and smooth in texture while contemplative in their mood. Then others feature a bold, vibrant pallet with lots of oranges, blacks and fiery shades.
C.S. Fong’s ‘Pisces’ features black rippling lines, punctuated by darting figures of orange koi. Although a photograph, the effect he creates seems more evocative of an etching. He gets this effect, he says, using an older, second-hand camera.
“I wanted to experiment with the piece of machinery,” he said, “it’s not the machine, but what goes on six inches behind the machine.”
Co-chair of the show, Wendy Snetsinger describes the show as “dazzling.”
“I’m just so thrilled with the quality and variety,” she said, “all these images evoke happy feelings.”
With over 30 pieces, all by accomplished local artists, the Abstraction Show features art for everyone to enjoy and connect with.
Every piece had to go through a selection process, judged by Jean Forsberg, local artist and retired Penn State instructor. Forsberg considers abstract “a leap into the unknown.” She likes the limitless possibilities of the form and, she said, “it’s exciting to look at something four years from now and see something you never saw before.”
Whether a person has a background in art or not, this show (free to the public) has plenty of colors, shapes, moods, textures and compositions. The variety alone provides long moments of fascination.
