So, you’re diligent about making the rounds on First Friday. The Morning Times, Lump, Artspace – you know your stuff. How about HL Roaming Gallery. Whaaaat? Real insiders know the term and have been anxiously awaiting the next biannual show, which opens tonight in the Helig-Levine Building at 137 S. Wilmington Street.
Admittedly I’m a new “insider” to the HL Roaming Gallery, which is an exhibit of Raleigh artists. The first show I attended was in November. I left kicking myself for having missed the first three. Don’t be among the few that miss the fifth and final show. And if you are, for your sake, I wouldn’t tell anyone.
What can you expect from this traveling collection of artists? –Expect to be wowed, but not surprised by the talent living and working in Raleigh. Expect to be drawn to their work. Expect to care about their inspirations, mediums and backgrounds. Expect to be moved. Don’t expect their work to be basic, bland, or ordinary. And, expect to hate that this clever type of gallery and art opportunity is coming to an end – at least for now.
Two and half years ago, Tracy Spencer, a Raleigh artist and key supporter of the local art scene, debuted her traveling gallery of artists, which helped enliven a struggling downtown. Every six months, the band of artists set up shop (literally cleaning, hanging their own work, fixing lights) for one month in one of Raleigh’s charming but unused buildings. Tonight the HL Roaming Gallery will come full circle; ending in its original location.
Tonight’s bittersweet (in my book at least) opening reception will be the last. Why? – We all know why, progress has come and the result is both good and band. Spencer sites less uninhabited buildings and a cumbersome process as the reasons behind the group’s hiatus. She and the artists love it though; and I would all but guarantee they’ll be back. And, in an even more interesting, progressive way.
Piqued your interest yet? Didn’t know Raleigh had such emerging and important artists? Well, we do. And we should, no must, support them. A little background on the participating artists is below.
See you there.
HL Roaming Gallery
Opening Reception, May 4th, 2007, 6 p.m. to midnight
Closing Reception, May 25th, 2007, 6 p.m.to midnight
Saturday hours in May: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
May 19th and 20th (Artsplosure): 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also view the exhibit by appointment.
The artists
Andrea Donnelly draws from traditional textile processes to make the raw material she uses in her sculptures. Her current work addresses personal and cultural issues in a collection of six female forms. The Lady Series is an intimate exploration of internal and external space, of strength and vulnerability, of cloth and skin (see attached photo). Andrea is a recent graduate of the NC State College of Design. She is a 2007 recipient of the Windgate Fellowship, and her work is currently on exhibit at Fiberart International 2007 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Mollie Earls is a graduate of the NC State College of Design. She continues her exploration of early aviator portraiture and will also have some new lovely jewelry for sale.
Dimitri Gudgenov explores geometric, abstract forms. He uses a variety of construction methods to interpret 3D shapes created with modeling software into physical sculptures.
Jeremy Hauch’s paintings are large, colorful, usually square, and mixed in media. Often figures of humans or animals can be seen. The exact type of animal is usually in question, and what the animal is doing depends on the viewer. Humans are usually just there, not doing much in the way of action. Humans do appear with animals at times, usually in cooperation of some sort. Human to human cooperation is rare, and usually seen in earlier work. Ben Dautel is one year old and has been know to collaborate with Jeremy on recent work.
Andy Heymann, an NC State College of Design Graduate, takes his graphic style of painting to a new level in HL5. He brings iconography in to battle his usual, but still intriguing feminine figures. These new paintings could be described as mathematically graphic dichotomization.
Jackson Hodges, an artist living in Raleigh, graduated with degrees in both architecture and art from the NC State College of Design. Using drawing as his primary medium, Jackson creates pieces with dual focus. His aesthetic combines technicality enriched with emotion and creative non sequitur. He uses his affinity for objects, locations, and personas of interest to carefully compose vignettes reflecting his own interpretation of environments and experiences.
Lindsey Lynch is never without her lens. Her new series, “I see London, I see France,” provides an intimate portrait of women in situations that reflect their personality. Lindsey’s love of and talent for capturing the essence of people through natural progressions of the everyday led her to found Lindsey Marla Photography.
Tracy Spencer continues to explore the use of allegory in her paintings. Her new series plays on growth and the many stages of life. Tracy is the founding manager of Bonded Llama Artist Studios and coordinator of Morning Times Gallery.
For more information in the gallery, artists, or appointments to view the show, email hlartgallery@gmail.com.
