“Stand Before Us/Photography and Paintings,” the new exhibit in FGCU’s Main Gallery, focuses on compositional similarities and contrasts in the work of four contemporary Southwest Florida artists.
The paintings of Arturo Correa and Steve Pennisi are paired with the photographs of Dennis Church and Luke Greer. The juxtaposition highlights how composition is used in each medium and how it is the foundation for expressing narratives.
Shown above: Dennis Church’s “Bonita Springs, FL (Dirt Fresh),” a 2012 photograph and Arturo Correa’s 2013 acrylic on wood, “Life As Usual Under A Pink Lily.”
“Visual composition can be an even playing ground when comparing painting and photography,” says guest curator and Fort Myers artist Veron Ennis. “How the composition is created differs greatly for each type of artist. A painter may choose to place elements on their surface in a way such that an intentional composition is created. A photographer may reposition their body and camera thus adjusting their line of sight and focus in such a way that the composition is altered in order to accomplish a successful composition.
“There are elements a painter may choose not to control, such as dripping of paint or pulling with a trowel resulting in only a partially controlled outcome. Just as the painter, the photographer may choose to photograph elements that are outside of their control such as water movement and the result of wind. These uncontrolled elements are experiments that can propel the work forward and inspire the artist. Both artists address the unexpected or uncontrolled result and either embrace and build on the element or destroy and reject the element.”
Sponsored in part by Rona Steingart, “Stand Before Us/Photography and Paintings” continues through June 18 in the Arts Complex. Parking is available in Lot 7 for gallery visitors. Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
For more information on this exhibition and others, go to artgallery.fgcu.edu or contact Anica Sturdivant at (239) 590-7199 or [email protected].