Forget the fireworks. The real explosions of color can be found indoors. This Friday night, take a peek inside Ketchum's art galleries and discover a world of depth, richness and spectacular talent.
For a superlative lesson in color, visit the Marc Chagall painting, hanging at Frederic Boloix Fine Arts. The Russian-French painter is among the most celebrated of the 20th century. "Esquisse Pour Le Pont Neuf," painted in 1953, is an oil on paper mounted on canvas. "The colors are pretty spectacular," said Boloix. "This is a painting to really look at. It has a really spontaneous feel. The colors are deep and rich and, as with many of Chagall's finest paintings, the light appears to come from behind the paint, similar to stained glass."
Painted nine years after his beloved wife, Bella's, death, she is featured in it as both the bride and the mother with child on a bull. "It is a memory of her," explained Boloix. "He continued painting her throughout his life. Even when he was married to his second wife (Valentina Brodsky)."
Other fireworks in this month's exhibition include vibrant oils by Dutch painter Sjer Jacob at Gallery DeNovo. "Sjer's work is simple, yet sophisticated, due to the limited information he uses to create his subject matter," said DeNovo owner Robin Reiners. "Just enough information is presented to the viewer to let them fill in the rest of the image with his or her own imagination."
Explosive work can be found at Anne Reed gallery in the form of Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero, whose challenging installation art and photography address the social issues of her home country through automobiles.
For some local color, Gail Severn features new work by Ketchum resident David DeVillier, whose series of acrylic and wax on panel with steel frames features lone women and outrageous birds in vivid, enigmatic narratives.
Sculpture is also a large theme at this month's walk. Gail Severn presents Julie Speidel's bronze sculpture. Internationally regarded, her contemporary work recalls forms of ancient civilizations. Kneeland Gallery hosts the work of Dave McGary, who depicts Native American Indians. His ability to capture the human spirit is breathtaking.
See next week's Express for an article on sculpture featuring the work of Julie Speidel and Dave McGary.
