ARTIST
ON THE CUTTING EDGE
April- June 2016 Volume 1
Gallery Openings in Detroit, Michigan
Yolanda Sharpe: In The NeighborhoodThe Necessary Components
A special biography about DR. Samella Lewis
Allie McGhee: Now & Then
Carol Harris: Reveal:Conceal - Conceal:Reveal
Caole Morisseau: Paintings & Drawings:A Solo Exhibition
Fresh Abstrations:Barbara Dorchen, Marcia Freedman and Joya Rush-Keli
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Yolanda Sharpe/In The Neighborhood/ Encaustic Paintings/ June 4 - July 2, 2016/
NCA Gallery
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MEET THE ARTIST
YOLANDA SHARPE/ IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD / ENCAUSTIC PAINTINGS/
RECEPTION/ SATURDAY, JUNE 4, I- 4. NCA Gallery
Article submitted and written by Mrs. Shirley Woodson-Reid
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The strategic placement of color brilliance within the encaustic paintings of Yolanda Sharpe characterize her commanding approach. Her use of highly inventive compositions in the encaustic medium immediately engage the viewer on a remarkable journey of ideas and energy. "In The Neighborhood", her current exhibition at the NCA Gallery, features both small and large work that demonstrate her abilities to build a range of ideas on varied surfaces with each work conveying its own singular identity. The strength of her visual statement lies in her powerful understanding and embracing of vibrant color, collage and its residual effects. There is a quality of note taking that appears to be an essential part of her painting process. Sharpe's application of color with broad brushstrokes create false transparencies leaving colors beneath to volley to remain in view as an area or an edge of the color is seen and implied in a loosely formed patchwork. The overlays of color and subtleties of surface offer a mystery of content as the artist includes circular collage components and raised rectangular forms with a quiet energy that reside over fields of blazing color. The larger paintings further illustrate the depth of the artist's expressionist vision as she composes with collage, precision drawing and imbedded textures.
Yolanda Sharpe, received a BA in Art History and a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Michigan State University and an MFA from Wayne State University in Painting and Printmaking as well. She teaches at SUNY, Department of Art, Oneonta, NY and is a Fulbright Scholar. Her impressive exhibition record includes solo shows in metro Detroit at the G.R.N'namdi Gallery, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Mott Community College, as well as galleries New York, Nevada and internationally, the Krasnoyarsk State Institute of Fine Arts, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Also known for her beautiful watercolor paintings and drawings one sees that a certain romanticism prevails as she presents still life subjects such as vases, flowers and fruit in more traditional environments. Sharpe forever articulates in her approach to form, material, and color a heady relationship where she is adept in both abstraction and realistic modes. As Ms. Sharpe's works offer one a wonderful range for interpretation where everything is imperative. Shirley Woodson
The exhibition will continue through Saturday, July 2.
Yolanda Sharpe will give an Artists' Talk, Tuesday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the NCA Gallery. NCA Gallery 18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit , MI 48235. 313.342.1786
Gallery Hours: Tuesday 12 -5. Wednesday 12-7.
Every first Saturday 10- 5 and by appointment.....313.342.1786.
Contact: Esther Vivian Brewer
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Samella Lewis: An American Icon
April 28, 2016 - September 2016
How does one earn the tittle "American Art Icon"? To achieve such a moniker or honor, we have only to look a the life accomplishments of Samella Lewis, Ph.D., whose influence on African American art and culture has been so immense that her impact is yet to be determined. During her long and still active career, she has worked as an artist, art historian, educator, scholar, author, publisher, filmmaker, museum founder, art administrator, curator, gallerist, art collector, wife, mother, and much more.
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Lewis was born on February 27, 1924. Early on, she began to view art as essential to African American life and culture. She attended Dillard University, where Elizebeth Catlett was her instrucator, mentor, and later became her lifelong friend. Lewis transferred to Hampton Institute, where she earned her B.A. in art history in 1945. She completed her graduate and her doctorate in fine art and art history in 1951-the first African American woman to do so.
Lewis' art has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and can be found in many museums and private collections. She has published numerous scholarly books, jounals, and art catalogs. Her trove of awards and honors include the UNICEF Award for the Visual Arts and the Destinguished Schlar Award at the Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities in Los Angeles. Also, a scholarship at Scripps College has been named in her honor.
