Masquerade by Kerry Books
Through the month of February and opening on February 4 from 5-8 p.m., Waxing Poetic, showcases the Prismacolored pencil works of artist Kerry Brooks. Robert Lange Studios located at 2 Queen Street in the historic district in Charleston, SC, presents this classically trained contemporary artist with her solo show featuring a series of fifteen Prismacolor pencil drawings that explore the artists interest in finding narrative beauty contrasted against simple settings.
On view through the end of February, the exhibit is the artist’s first showing of colored pencil works in the historic French Quarter district of downtown Charleston but the third solo show that RLS has hosted of her work. A festive reception open to the public will be held on February 4, starting at 5:00 p.m. featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres, and music.
Kerry Brooks studied at the Repin Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia and at the Ukrainian Academy of Art in Kiev. Brooks’ interest in female beauty is apparent in her new series of Prismacolor pencil drawings.
“A lot of these are very quiet moments,” says Brooks. “But the idea for them came when I was living in rural Illinois and I would see a lot of shabbiness, but also beauty. I was drawn to finding glamour in spite of disappointing circumstances or tragedy.”
“With Kerry’s new Prismacolor work, she has combined her great strengths- the delicacy of her oils and the precision of her graphite,” said gallery owner Robert Lange. “This allows her to expresses her subjects emotion in a subtle and romantic way.”
Through manipulation of the formal constructs of a painting Brooks’ creates portraits that reveal the particular character of her female subjects. The focus in her series lies within the delicate moments of these women and their interactions with the viewer.
Of this recent body of work Brooks says, “While I paint and draw from a thoroughly western perspective – a classical interest in the human body and the trappings of human experience – I also endeavor to imbue my work with a certain eastern spirituality. I consider my portraits as windows into the lives of my subjects, often presenting the subject in a state of intense and dignified stillness. I strive to make paintings and drawings that are beautiful and meaningful, based on both my own interests and the timeless principles of classical art.”
Digital images are available upon request. Contact Megan Lange at (843) 805-8052 or info@robertlangestudios.com.
Robert Lange Studios features the best of contemporary painters and photographers. RLS is open everyday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and by appointment. To view work online and learn more about the artists, please contact RLS at (843) 805-8052 or visit www.robertlangestudios.com.
