Robert Lange’s Video from his Journey to Nepal

Video from a 5 week journey to Nepal by Robert Lange.

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Robert Lange Studios Hosts “Go” – Series of Paintings that Portray People of Nepal

Robert Lange has spent the last five weeks in Nepal on a 150-mile hike through the Himalayas. Inspired by the idea of surrendering as an artist, he created a series of paintings that portray people in possible but not plausible situations.  On June 4, 2010 the show, “Go,” will be unveiled at Robert Lange Studios from 5-8PM with a reception that is open to the public.

Changing Us 10" x 20" oil on linen Robert Lange

Lange’s Go series, inspired by his recent trip, is composed of twelve works. The first eight paintings were fueled by the anticipation of this trip and upon his return the final four pieces are a reaction to the experience. Along with the new works, Lange has created a short film highlighting moments captured while exploring Nepal.   In describing this body of work and the trip, Lange states, “The goal of this journey was to reclaim the use of my imagination. Along the way I was graced to find an entire culture radiating contentment.  The people of Nepal, regardless of age, still possess their childhood abandonment and each person is willing to connect and share their happiness.”

In the past year Lange’s realism has teetered on the edge of surrealism, most notably in his Measure Creatures Great and Small show last July, where he shrunk massive animals to palm size morsels. The work for this show is no different in its playfulness; the paintings have a sense of, as Lange calls it, “magical reality.”

The paintings include scenes where, at first glance, nothing seems out of place. “Go” is the title painting for the show; the 36-by-36 inch oil on panel work shows Lange’s ability to create works that exist in both realistic and imaginative worlds.  The piece depicts skydivers barreling down toward the Himalayas. It is only upon closer inspection that the viewer sees that the skydivers are without parachutes and not separate individuals but the same person at various stages of freefall. For the opening night Lange will be giving away 500 10-by-10 inch prints of the piece.

On giving away the prints Lange says,  “Whether it be overwhelming sadness or joy, adventure or calm, I hope the paintings capture those moments when our humanity sings and I want every person to leave the show with a reminder of that feeling.”

A casual wine-and-cheese reception open to the public will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. and the work will hang until June 25.

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Sneak Peak: Robert Lange Solo Show on June 4

Artist Robert Lange of Robert Lange Studios located in Charleston, SC, just returned from a magical five week long journey to Nepal. He is currently working on his upcoming solo show that opens on June 4, 2010 from 5-8pm.

Are you providing a range of different sizes, or are you focusing on a particular size or format that your collectors prefer?

As always there will be a broad range of sizes, from 8” x 10” to about 36” x 48” mostly oil on a dutch linen wrapped panel.

What inspired you to do this new body of work? [message/insight/location/light/mood etc.]

Two sources of inspiration:

1. About 4 months ago I was invited by my father in law to go on a 5 week, 150 mile hike through the Himalayas. The anticipation and excitement surrounding this life-changing journey to Nepal has been the fuel for the 8 newest paintings. After I return from the trip I will then create 4 to 6 paintings as a reaction to the experience.
2. Coinciding with the date of this show is the release of one of my longtime friends Brendan James (Decca Records) 2^nd album. The message within the music is that of bleeding altruism and optimism, a feeling that we are on the precipice of positive change. Therefore I have used each song as a seed, listening to it over and over and allowing an idea to flourish from it. The paintings are in no way literal translations but instead visual reactions to the way the music makes me feel. Brendan will be performing an intimate concert within the gallery the night of the show.

What do you want art collectors to look for in this new show?

A sense of a magical reality. Narratives consisting of situations that look possible but not plausible. If the work was to reference a sense of surrealism it would be within the breadth of Rene Magritte. Scenes where at first glance nothing seems out of place even though the skydiver barreling down toward the Himalayas is without a parachute or even a shirt for that matter and is only wearing a pair of camouflage shorts.

What do your collectors tell you they particularly like about your artwork?

A unique sense of happiness. I Always hope to imbue the paintings with an overwhelming sense of grabbing life by the heels and living, of taking nothing for granted and seeing any moment as extraordinary. Whether it overwhelming sadness or joy, adventure or calm, I hope the paintings capture those moments when our humanity sings.

How would you describe your audience?

Glass half full people.

Would you help me describe your paintings to new collectors? What phrase best reflects how you want to be described?

I hope to be a painter who paints anything and everything, having the work always be informed my own experience and the experience of those I am fortunate enough to interact with. I wish to be the seen as a person on an unending journey to draw out and paint the character of this beautiful world we live in.

If there’s one thing you would like collectors to know about you, the artist, what would that be?

I believe everything and anything is possible, that our imagination and connection to each other will lead us to the reality we all wish to see

What would you say has been the major turning point in your commercial career?

The day I decided to reclaim my imagination. I feel as though I am a child again painting whatever creations float throughout my mind.

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