The Exchange Gallery

Every month VAE highlights the work of four or five exemplary VAE artists in its Exchange Gallery. This highly visible retail space in the front windows of VAE's City Market Gallery is excellent exposure for artists and a favorite shopping spot of patrons. Artists are juried into the space annually. For more information contact Meredith Burgess at 919.828.7834 ex 6853, or meredith@visualartexchange.org.

Click here to learn how to apply for your own featured artist exhibition!

July 2009 Exchange Gallery Artists:

• Ed Larson
• Tara Lee
• Crystal Rhew
• Dawn Marie Rozzo

Ed Larson

My work has been influenced by artists such as Motherwell, Rothko, Mondrian, Hans Hofmann and Franz Kline. The composition of each painting is created as a whole in a similar way one might write a word or calligraphic mark. I believe spontaneity is practiced. For each successful composition there are many preliminary attempts. Generally, if after a first attempt I find the structure displeasing I recreate the composition as a whole, rather than attempt to work on it in separate and disjointed parts. This preliminary structure is temporarily sketched using water on a solid color canvas. Once I am satisfied with the image I quickly fix the temporary lines using black paint. Working initially with water requires unhesitating, decisive decisions otherwise the water will dry and the basic structure of the painting may be lost. Once the basic framework for the painting is painted in black, I proceed to fill in the resulting shapes and areas with color. Recently I have been exploring pattern and decoration in my work, often drawing inspiration from wall paper and kimono patterns. This decoration adds a new layer of visual interest as well as a striking way to create tension between foreground and background. Sometimes the pattern also serves to create mood or suggest a meaning for the artwork.

Tara Lee

I love most any opportunity to take a reprieve from a hectic and fast-paced world and to find patience and focus through the lens of my camera. I am especially fascinated by the connectedness of children to the slower and more meaningful aspects of their environments and enjoy taking part in their observations and discoveries. They lead and I follow.

Many of my photographs depict fragments of the unique and the unusual that contribute to the whole of an individual or the given moment, yet leaving something for the imagination. I prefer natural lighting, patterns, original angles, and, most importantly, the sincerity and candid relaxation of the moment. Many of my works are color enhanced to emphasize fun and whimsy, while monochromatic tones and traditional black and white help convey a particular mood in others. In post-production of imagery I find self-expression through the use of rich tones and crops. I savor the seemingly unimportant details and experiment, having found inspiration in childhood play.

Crystal Rhew

I consider myself a storyteller in the broadest of definitions. My work is narrative and each piece tells a story. The stories I tell are never really complete, however, leaving much unsaid. It is oftentimes interactive and needs to be experienced and felt; only completed with each viewing as the viewer brings their own history to the piece. The relationship of images, words and depth of layers is a large part of that search. The layering of many different materials (paint, fabric, threads etc.) is essential to my work. Some things are hidden while others are left in plain view. The stories I tell vary from personal stories about my life, thoughts and travels-to stories about family, friends and politics. For me it is the search for answers - not the answers themselves - that is most important. My hope is that this search for answers will bring me closer to finding the meaning of my life. I may never find it, but the search will certainly be interesting along the way.

My work pulls from many sources including a sense of tradition by using traditional techniques such as sewing and embroidery and using them as a tool to further my own story. I am compelled by the processes I use. The actual act of pulling a needle and thread is invigorating. The fabric I use also has a story of it's own as most of it belonged to family members, while other fabric comes from thrift stores bringing with it its own history. My creative influences are broad and include quilts, feminist art of the 70's, small town life, science fiction movies, traveling, family and our American culture in general.

Dawn Marie Rozzo

Images of living forms; flowers, birds, trees cross all cultural boundaries as symbols of life and death. They speak to all of us about meanings in our lives. I draw and paint images from the natural world because it's beauty provokes hope and gives pleasure. Watching birds in the garden, it strikes me how much they talk, posture, alarm as well as sing. Just like us.

See previous featured artists:

June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007