Don’t Exchange This Gift
Holiday Show 2024
at
Glass Growers Gallery
Was it intentional or mere happenstance?
The “Holiday Show 2024” currently at Glass Growers Gallery contains three different artists whose individual aesthetic visions solely portray nature.
Somehow I was expecting a “holiday show” to offer imagery of Kris Kringle, elves or families gathered ‘round the Thanksgiving dinner.
But nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised.
Gudrun Richter’s “Winter” presents a barren, snowy landscape: a leafless tree and a far-off hill covered in snow that are divided by a frozen stream. A portent of our area’s upcoming season?
Richter’s “Red House” (see above) gives us a sparse, no-frills two-story country home that’s surrounded by snow and deadened brown woods in background. With the weather so cold and the house so lonesome, it gives the viewer an existential chill.
“Twin Trees” gives the viewer a respite from winter thoughts. Here, Richter’s painting shows two small trees amid a yellow-brown-green field, a small pond and two structure in the distance. An autumn remembrance of things past?
Amy Hahn’s mixed media images of different birds is a welcome sight. “Chickadee” portrays the bird with glass-like splinters with a mystical pinkish background. With the same style of background, “Blue Birds” [sic] is an image of a solitary blue-and-white bird perched on a branch. “Crow” shows the intelligent black avian perched on a limb with a brownish, leafy background.
“Frosty Morning Light” by Jason Lewis is an eye-catching painting of an autumn field. In the foreground, is it wheat that’s awaiting harvesting while several of trees in the distance showcase their fall colors?
“Copse” by Lewis depicts an outcropping of undefinable trees amid a green field, above a somber sky of pastel colors.
Lewis’ “Oak” shows a tall, spindly solitary tree that’s distanced from the others. Its tree branches all askew, some with autumn leaves remaining, others bare, it literally stands a beautiful visual allegory for living, aging and independence.
Thank you, Glass Growers Gallery for this holiday “gift.”
***Gregory Greenleaf
The Holiday Show 2024 continues through January 4. For more information visit glassgrowersgallery.com
