October 2013
Haynes Galleries presents “New Works: New Directions”
October 11 to November 16, 2013
Reception: Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. October 11, 2013
NASHVILLE — Fresh faces, fresh work and fresh perspectives highlight “New Works: New Directions” at Haynes Galleries, an exciting collection of paintings from some of the most talented names in contemporary American Realism. The show runs from October 11 to November 16 at Haynes Galleries, on the historic Music Row Roundabout. An opening reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. October 11; the event is free and open to the public.
This sweeping exhibition is a chance to experience work from some of Haynes Galleries’ newest artists — some established, some emerging, all of the caliber that the gallery is known for— including Katie O’Hagan, Milixa Morón, Candice Bohannon, and Joseph Todorovitch. In addition, new works from longtime gallery artists like Richard Greathouse and Stephen Scott Young will also be on view.
Gallery owner Gary R. Haynes, an admirer and collector of American Realism from the last three centuries, was drawn to these artists because their work is honest, reflective and thought-provoking.
“I am attracted to these artists not just because they are skilled realists,” Haynes says. “Certainly, they have mastered the technique and the craft, but it’s also much more than that. They are capable of conveying an emotion, mood and feeling in their work. They start with an idea and they communicate it in profound ways. It’s much more than pretty pictures. Their work commands attention.”
Such is the case with Greathouse, an artist in his late 20s whose masterful technique and deeply expressive work belie his age. His nudes, especially Emmanuela, are soulful and arresting, rendered with nuance and emotion. A Nashville native, Greathouse teaches at his alma mater, the Florence Academy of Art in Italy.
Katie O’Hagan’s canvases captivate with their beauty and discomfit with their themes. Almost Home is at once mesmerizing and terrifying. The subject stands on a shadowy path, clad in a cocktail dress and holding her shoes — one bloodied — in her hand. She looks over her shoulder and the viewer can’t help but wonder what, or who, lies just out of view.
Candice Bohannon’s complex, emotionally charged canvases evoke their own narratives. In Bear the Light, the subject casts her eyes downward, in silent solitude, beckoning the viewer to dig deeper into her back story. Grace is a coming-of-age story on canvas, a girl on the cusp of adulthood, clinging to her puppy — and her innocence — in the falling darkness.
Joseph Todorovitch’s exquisitely rendered portraits are a testament to his rigorous training. Honed by years of studio work, his technique is restrained yet expressive, painted with delicacy and a remarkable attention to detail. All it takes is one look at The Hunt, and you’ll feel as though the young woman crouched amongst the barren reeds has set her sights on you.
Stephen Scott Young’s watercolors hum with life and emotion. Whether he turns his brush to impoverished Bahamian women or the stark façade of a Vermont house in winter, the result is captivating. It’s no wonder he’s considered one of the country’s top watercolorists.
The thrill of “New Works: New Directions” lies in the discovery — each painting is a surprise. Each drawing is a revelation. This show compels. Excites. Mesmerizes.