“Silent Memories? by Jeremiah Patterson at Sherry French Gallery

Wednesday, 09 May 2007 23:24

New York City - Contemporary Realist Jeremiah Patterson puts a new twist on his realism paintings in “Silent Memories: Recent Figurative Work and Still Lifes” at Sherry French Gallery.  Presently, Patterson has been expanding his body of work to incorporate figurative subjects as well as narrative ones.  By giving his paints more freedom to stray from the conventional subjects of realist paintings, Patterson saves the reality of his work.  From a distance, Patterson’s work draws viewers in closer with its bold and bright color schemes.  However, upon closer examination, viewers are able to read Jeremiah’s “silent poetry” and “quiet discussions” hidden beneath the surface of his paintings giving them a deeper significance and a more complex meaning.

In Patterson’s still lifes, he digs deeper than just an aesthetically appealing picture, for there are often concepts or meanings behind the objects he uses in his still lifes.  “Through the movements of the paintbrush, I try to animate the mute objects of the still life and give them a collective voice through which their stories can be told.”  Some still lifes can be seen as representations of cooking recipes- each object, an ingredient -representing one portion of a whole. Other still lifes can be themed, such as “The Four Seasons”.  For example, in the upcoming show, Patterson will show a piece entitled “Blue Hubbard,” a still life depicting a squash.

The featured painting in the show is a large-scale watercolor entitled “Visitate (the Visitation)”.  Its composition is similar to other recent large paintings by the artist which include standing figures in front of an old Italian wall.  In this new painting, two young women stand at the front of the composition, the old brick wall and dark doorway just behind them, a backdrop that has stood the test of time.  In “Visitate (the Visitation)” the artist captures a moment between these two women, who express their distinct and separate personalities through subtle differences in pose, and by looking in different directions.  The juxtaposition of the soft and beautiful youthful forms of the two women, set against the hard and crumbling old wall evokes feelings of the passage of time, of re-birth, and of an inter-connection of lives both present and past.

Patterson’s work is reminiscent of Dutch and Italian Renaissance art. Many trips to Italy allowed Patterson to analyze closely the great masterpieces in art museums, in cathedrals, and in churches- giving him significant insight into Renaissance style and technique.  This type of influence is evident in Patterson’s rendering of the figure.  As well as the balance and order found within the compositions of the artists work.  The large scale and the solidity of Patterson’s forms and his use of symbolism of color can be accredited to his Italian Renaissance technique, while the delicacy of form and realism within flesh can be attributed to his Dutch and Flemish influence.

What makes his work more interesting is Patterson’s use of more labor-intensive techniques. As opposed to the popular choice of oil paints, Patterson employs more challenging medias such as egg tempera and watercolor. In regards to watercolor, Patterson says that he loves the immediacy- the direct and bold process of layering the color on the page.  He also claims there is no other media whose quality of color and brilliance match that of watercolor.  Patterson also enjoys painting with egg tempera yet another medium with brilliant color and a visual quality unlike any other.

“As a painter of the narrative image, I can play the role of the visual poet, a messenger without words, twisting tales of shape and color into illustrations that celebrate the small, beautiful, and uplifting moments of my every day life.” “Silent Moments” will expose viewers to the visual verses Patterson has created and offer them insight into Patterson’s world of quiet, colorful, illustrated poems, possibly seeing art in a new light.

For further information, contact SHERRY FRENCH GALLERY, INC.- STARRETT- LEHIGH BLDG 13TH FL - 601 WEST 26TH ST. - NEW YORK, NY 10001-1101 - 212-647-8867 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - www.sherryfrenchgallery.com