Line drawing is one of the first artistic methods we learn as children. It’s a technique that most of us can understand, regardless of our experience with art. That approachability is the reason I was so curious about LineWorks, the latest exhibit at the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). This exhibit features the multi-media creations of five contemporary artists who use line drawing in their work.
The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) is an art gallery in Reston Town Center that promotes contemporary visual art through exhibits, educational programs, and cultural events. GRACE holds art classes for adults, teens, and children, and hosts the annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. They also present skillfully collated exhibitions several times a year in their gallery. Admission is free.
This latest exhibit, LineWorks: Drawing Redefined, demonstrates how the concept of line drawing can be reinterpreted with a variety of manipulated materials. The exhibit includes both two- and three-dimensional compositions as well as video. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2014, from 6 – 8pm, with an artist talk beginning at 5:30. The event is free and open to the public.
Richmond artist Nikki Painter creates dimensional drawings with distorted perceptions of depth and space. She has also created an eye-catching 10’x10′ site-specific installation.
“Climb” by Nikki Painter (collage paper, foam core, gouache, pins)
“Stage” by Nikki Painter (mixed media, model wood, foam core)
Sculptor Foon Sham lives in Fairfax County and teaches art at the University of Maryland. His 10-foot sculpture “Hatch” is made of carved discs from the cross sections of diverse trees. He has also created a series of drawings of lines extending from phone books and wood samples.
“Hatch” by Foon Sham (carved disks of wood)
“Pages” and “Cedar” by Foon Sham (wood, pencil on paper)
Lee Gainer is a full-time practicing artist in the DC Metro region, who takes snapshots of gatherings and translates them into detailed line drawings. Using a computer, Gainer overlays these drawings to create visual puzzles that examine how memories are constructed and recalled.
“Crystal Cove” by Lee Gainer (acrylic on cradled panel)
“Blueberry Syrup” by Lee Gainer (acrylic on cradled panel)
Sarah Irvin is a Master of Fine Arts candidate at George Mason University. Her large-scale ink work reflects on the life of her grandfather, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Hidden text represents memory and the abilities and limitations of the mind.
“Column,” “Register,” and “Ignore” by Sarah Irvin (ink on Yupo)
Sarah Weinstock is a full-time artist who lives in Columbus, Ohio and creates “dance party” installations. She films smoke and fire embers that she manipulates by her dance movements, thereby “drawing” with fire.
“Smoke” by Sarah Weinstock (video)
This is just a small selection of the artwork in the exhibit; head to Reston Town Center to see the rest. LineWorks: Drawing Redefined will be on display from November 13-2014 until January 3, 2015 at the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). GRACE is located at 12001 Market Street Suite #103 Reston, VA 20190. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm. Admission is free.
Related stories:
The League of Reston Artists’ Imagist Exhibit
ArtSpace Herndon: The Art Scene Next Door