CaRt23
Contemporary Art in Realism 2023
2nd International Juried Exhibition
In the 1950s, the dominant artistic movement was Abstract Expressionism, an anti-literal and anti-figuration movement that emphasized a burst of emotion, shape, and color on canvas as a visual metaphor for an artist's inner emotional state in regard to subject, circumstance or matter.
Never formally organized as a group or a movement, the Contemporary Realists were a close network of friendships and artistic associations surrounding the New York School, an informal group of American poets, painters, dancers, and musicians. This included Philip Pearlstein, Neil Welliver, William Bailey, Leland Bell, and Louisa Matthiasdottir, A number of Contemporary Realists, like Jack Beal, Nell Blaine, and Jane Freilicher began as noted Second Generation Abstract Expressionists, but by the mid-1950s were creating realist works. They began painting more traditional subjects like landscape, portraiture, domestic interiors, and still life, though with a contemporary awareness and technique influenced by various movements including the New York School's emphasis on capturing the everyday moment, and the color palette and line styles of their 19th-century artistic forefathers Pierre Bonnard and Edouard Vuillard.
Since the 1970s the term Contemporary Realism has been used generally for artists who practice realistic art with contemporary techniques. In a sense it established a foundation for artists who painted realistically to be viewed as contemporary and innovative. Many Contemporary Realists Lois Dodd, Alex Katz, and Philip Pearlstein are still active today, and their work continues to exert an influence.
Realism is very much alive and is gaining renewed traction with artists and collectors. Modern artists approach their subject in a realistic manner using contemporary and fresh techniques. Additionally, realism speaks to language that is universally understood and can be shared by everyone.
Juror: Ricki L. Klages, Former Head of the Department of Art and Professor at the University of Wyoming
DETAILS
Exhibit Date: Friday, July 28, 2023 – Friday, September 1, 2023
Reception: Friday, July 28, 2023 from 6-8pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 1-5pm
AWARD WINNERS
Gold Award: Derek Wilkinson - “Self Portrait”
Silver Award: Benjamin Stanford - “Candella”
Bronze Award: Maddy Weisz - “Fight Night”
Honorable Mention: Christopher Amend - “Dan And Colin”
Honorable Mention: David LaPalombara - “Park Point”
Honorable Mention: Paul Art Lee - “Hummingbird & Gladiolus”
GOLD
Derek Wilkinson
“Self Portrait”
Charcoal, Pastel & Ink on Toned Paper, 18.5” x 14”
2023
SILVER
Benjamin Stanford
“Candella”
Oil on Linen, 10” x 8”
2023
BRONZE
Maddy Weisz
“Fight Night”
Oil on Panel, 20” x 20”
2020
HONORABLE MENTIONS
FINALISTS
SELECTED ARTISTS
Christopher Amend, Gillette, WY - website
Cynthia Barnes, Longmont, CO - website
Bob Coonts, Fort Collins, CO - website
Emily Drew, Fort Collins, CO
Danid Karim Eid, Lakewood, CO
Joe Fortunato, Fort Collins, CO
David Hicks, Brecksville, OH - website
Marc Jones, Loveland, CO - website
Sam Ken, Colorado Springs, CO - website
David LaPalombara, Athens, OH - website
Paul Art Lee, Buena Park, CA - website
Jennifer Levitt, Denver, CO - website
Patsy Lindamood, Huntsville, TX - website
Barbara Lunger, Greenwood Village, CO - website
Taylor Mouroufas, Antelope, CA - website
James Myers, Denver, CO - website
Alanna Peters, Denver, CO - website
Tom Schukar, Fort Collins, CO
Lynn Schwebach, Fort Collins, CO - website
Prarthana Shahi, Westminster, CO
Benjamin Stanford, Denver, CO - website
Yuqian Sun, Toronto, Canada - website
Grace Thompson, Fort Collins, CO
Estanislao Trejo, Bailey, CO - website
Maddy Weisz, Fort Collins, CO - website
Derek Wilkinson, Emporia, KS - website Laura G. Young, Fort Collins, CO - website Shu Yu, Lakewood CO - website
JUROR
Ricki Klages
Former Head of the Department of Art and Professor at the University of Wyoming
ABOUT
Ricki Klages was born in Stuttgart, Germany. She received her BFA from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and her MA and MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally, including solo exhibitions at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio; University of Montana, Missoula, Montana; Epping Forest Museum, Waltham Abbey, United Kingdom; the Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy, Galerie Knud Grothe, Copenhagen, Denmark and Colorida Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal. She has received many awards in Juried exhibitions, including the jurors' choice award from The Butler Institute of American Art, Baer Award in Painting from the Wyoming Arts Council, Best in Show from "Art and Language", Highstown, New Jersey, and two Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship Grants. She was featured in juried publications, "New American Paintings" and the “International Painting Annual 1 through 6, #8 (third place award winner) and # 9.
Ricki started teaching at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Art in 1995. She is represented by William Havu Gallery, Denver, Colorado. She is the Head of the Department of Art, University of Wyoming.
Oil Paintings by Ricki Klages
JUROR’S STATEMENT
What is real? The ability to paint or draw in a way that mimics the way the eye or camera sees
is a technical skill that many artists develop- and it is tremendously satisfying as a process- but
it can also be an empty mechanical process if the intent and hand of the artist is less evident.
When I juried this exhibition, my primary criteria was not just about technical mastery in
realistic painting and drawing, but to see a purpose to that ability- what is the artist conveying?
How does the work differ from a photograph? Can the skill serve as a scaffold for a deeper
visual experience?
Whether it is a simple mixed media observational self-portrait that brings the level and
compelling gaze of the artist through an economy of line and color, or a small and tender oil
portrait that is both beautifully rendered and emotive-or a still life that creates a narrative
through a clever arrangement of objects- skill is absolutely involved, but more than skill; these
technical skills achieve an emotional response in the viewer, extreme close observation and
rendering far beyond a photo but shows the hand of the artist to direct the paint in a way that
is descriptive and compelling. All of the exhibiting artists demonstrate great skill but also a
strong sense of intent in their creative work.
Ricki Klages
Professor of Painting, University of Wyoming
OPENING - SLIDESHOW
EXHIBITION - SLIDESHOW
