Strength and Grace honors the athletic prowess and beauty of two Summer Olympic sports – Swimming and Equestrian Riding and Jumping.
Several of our featured artists have an Olympic connection.
For Graphite Artist, Sheona Hamilton-Grant, her first muse and start of her artistic career, was equine Superstar, Rembrandt Borbet. She met “Remmi” when she worked for 1988 and 1992 Olympic Gold medalist, Nicole Uphoff, the German Dressage rider. The exhibit will also feature, one of her portrait’s of the legendary sire Florestan I. He has made breeding history. His bloodline having marked and shaped the German warmblood horse. Many horses performing in the London 2012 Summer Olympics will be of Florestan decent.
Hawaii artist, Carol Bennett, first started painting swimmers when she was living in Los Angeles and swimming at the LA Athletic Club. According to Carol, “The floor beneath the pool, with its ethereal skylight was an underwater observation room...used by Olympic coaches in the 1920's. I would feel like a voyeur, watching the swimmer's private time and drawing in their beauty.” It was here she learned to capture their movement, reflections and grace.
The exhibit features the Equestrian artwork of three, stylisticly different artists. Each brings the majestic and powerful animals to life and into action:
Arizona Mixed Media Realist, Ken Peloke
European Graphite Artist, Sheona Hamilton-Grant
Expressionistic Idaho Artist, Donna Bernstein
It will also feature the Swimmers of:
Hawaii Artist, Carol Bennett
San Francisco Minimalist, Jeffrey Palladini
What: Strength and Grace at Elisa Contemporary Art
When: EXTENDED through September 15
Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue (near 256th st), Riverdale NY
Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10 am - 6pm, (July/August: Saturday by appt only) and by Appointment.
Ask us about our special commissioned portraits by our artists!
