ARTICLE #23

Use Your Illusions: Paintings mimic reality in ‘Trompe’ show
The Post and Courier - Charleston, S.C.
Date: Aug 27, 2006

The senses and perceptions will be tricked in this wacky show on reality.  What seems like a painting might actually be a photograph, and what looks like a photograph might be a painting.

Included in this exhibit are new paintings by Robert Lange using ancient techniques to create illusions of reality, along with new works by John Duckworth, who has developed a technique to render artwork “painted” with a camera.  This work blurs the lines between photography and painting, between realism and abstract art, between traditional and modern aesthetics.

“With the Trompe L’Oeil show, we’re challenging preconceived notions of paintings and photographs,” says Megan Sobchuck, gallery director.  “These are paintings that mimic reality—many that look like actual photographs taped to the canvas—and works that are ‘painted’ with a camera.”

The dichotomy between Lange’s hyper-realist paintings that appear to be photographs and Duckworth’s abstract photographs that appear to be paintings lay the groundwork for the Tromp L’Oeil is the ancient art of creating the illusion of three-dimensional reality, and is a tradition that stretches back to 15th century Italy.

“These works are all about perception and reality—and what constitutes a painting or a photograph,” says Robert Lange, owner of the gallery.  “We expect these contrasting works will spark a dialogue about aesthetic versus process, art and reality, and painting and photography.”

Lange’s Trompe L’Oeil paintings represent a classic interpretation of the tradition.  Pairing his knowledge of perspective and mathematics (he uses composition ratios such as fifths, sevenths, and ninths as opposed to halves and thirds) with his signature palette of stark lights and darks, Lange’s series is startling in its realism.  Seemingly ordinary items such as photographs, paintbrushes, knives and other objects are infused with new meaning, as they become the sole focal point in each piece. 

The reverse reality of new works by Duckworth will offer an interesting juxtaposition.  Using techniques he’s developed over the past several years, Duckworth “paints” his works using a camera.  The result is colorful and richly textured works on canvas that appear to have been painted with oils.  This exhibit offers the perfect forum for works from Duckworth’s “Landscape Abstracts” series, as well as his newly released “Urban Cityscapes.”

The show, “Trompe L’Oeil: Illusions in Art A Dialogue About Art and Reality,” will be on view through Sunday.  Robert Lange Studios is at 151 East Bay St.  Normal gallery hours are 11 am – 7 pm every day.  For more information, call the gallery at 805-8052 or visit www.robertlangestudios.com .