Jan Dilenschneider: Dualities
The Bellarmine Museum
June 4 - September 18, 2015
Connecticut artist Jan Dilenschneider finds much of her inspiration in the wondrous variegation of nature. Influences from Impressionism and Expressionism echo in her rich palette, loose brush strokes, and luminous vistas, while her affinity for landscape and the atmospheric effects of light and color link her to the venerable local tradition of landscape painting exemplified by the Cos Cob School that flourished a century ago. "I am greatly influenced by living on Long Island Sound, where many subjects lie within a mile of my home and studio," Dilenschneider has mused, "beautiful old trees, crystal blue water, elegant grasses, birds and great storms. I see a painting in everything: spring green leaves against bright blue skies, or misty trees that fade to blue-gray. The beauty of the world is my inspiration."
The title of this exhibition, Dualities, springs from the dual nature of Dilenschneider's work: she paints expressive landscapes, still lifes and portraits, but she also creates bold gestural abstract paintings. That many of the works in this exhibition are pairs or duos expands on the theme of dualism. Some pairs are intended to be seen almost touching--true diptychs--while others, separated but proximate, still express to the viewer their mutual affinity.
the ekphrastic poems created in response to Jan Dilenschneider's paintings, by Nicole Heller '13, MFA candidate '16, for the Bellarmine Museum of Art's ekphrasis iv.
Media Sponsor for Jan Dilenschneider: Dualities
what Jan Dilenschneider told the Connecticut Post about her work.