Robert Lange Studios | 6/2-6/30 | Charleston, SC

New Blood

Robert Lange Studios shows off the work of its newest artists in group show

By Chadd Scott

Since opening Robert Lange Studios in 2005, husband and wife owners Robert and Megan Lange have represented hundreds of artists. The through-line across all those years has been their own work. Both Robert and Megan—painting as Megan Aline—are successful artists themselves.

Cassandra Kim, The Family Meerkat, oil on panel, 26 x 21"

In the same way that as artists their search for new inspirations never ceases, as gallery owners, their search for new artists doesn't either. Robert Lange Studios’ upcoming exhibition, New Blood, which runs June 2 through June 30, showcases six of the newest artists to join the gallery’s impressive roster of talent.

“We are always seeking out unicorns,” says Megan. “There’s nothing greater than when someone walks in and instantly identifies one of our artists based on the uniqueness of their painted language. The six artists in this upcoming show have the two factors we are always looking for—both ‘the what’ and ‘the how’. We love when what an artist paints tells part of their story. Also, how they apply paint should feel like their own unique handwriting.”

Katie Koenig, The Nature of Delicate Losses, acrylic on linen, 36 x 60"

Having been in business nearly 20 years now, the gallery’s stellar reputation results in a ceaseless flood of inquiries from new artists seeking representation. The Langes consider the person along with their production when considering who to welcome into the gallery family.

“We often say we find artists based on character first and artwork second,” Robert says. “It’s important that we believe in the humans behind the art. There are plenty of amazing painters, but our gallery is focused on creating a community, not just selling paintings.”

Larisa Brechun, Moonlight Slumber, oil on panel, 18 x 24"

When the gallery, located in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina’s historic district opened, the internet was only beginning to take off as a resource to connect artists and galleries. As a result, the Langes primarily represented and found new artists locally, through word of mouth and in-person networking.

Now, as evidenced in New Blood, talent can be found around the world with the ease of a mouse click.

Timur Akhriev was born in Vladikavkaz, the territory where Southern Russia meets Chechnya. In 2002, he immigrated to Chattanooga, Tennessee and now splits his time between the U.S. and Europe. His paintings, be they figures, landscapes or still lifes, possess a miraculous intricacy, seemingly infinite detail.

Joining him in the show are Julie Beck, Larisa Brechun, Cassandra Kim, Katie Koenig and Ted Walsh who hail from across the United States. Introducing this many artists at one time is a rarity for the gallery.

Julie Beck, There is Joy In Disruption, oil on panel, 7 x 5"

“Our roster is small; this is deliberate. We want all of our artists to have shows and have art actually on walls for people to see,” Robert says. “This means we all, including our two gallery directors, need to truly believe in everyone we represent.”

Each of the artists will have roughly four works in the show capturing their distinctive styles. Kim’s whimsically absurdist anthropomorphic animal portraits are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Her paintings actually begin from the outside in.

“Each of my hand-chosen vintage or antique frames is a talisman to an imagined memory and provides a starting point for the painting,” Kim’s artist statement reads. “The frame or reclaimed wood item, which I often restore myself, creates the impression of an art movement or time period, which in turn guides me to creating the painting.”

Ted Walsh, Pink Chair, oil on panel, 15 x 20"

Brechun’s paintings take on a moodier tone with muted colors and an atmospheric quality, communicating something of introspection and isolation. The figures straddle universality and unknowability. She and Walsh seem like kindred spirits. He describes his work as lending importance to elements of place, memory, the environment and history. Walsh’s paintings ache with a stillness, quietude and restraint recalling Edward Hopper.

On the other end of the spectrum is Koenig with her electrifying color palette and a body of work suited to a pop art, still life, magic realism mixtape. She captures the realm of fantasy, portraying snippets of a more beautiful world we wish we could inhabit. Beck, similarly, fuses a variety of influences from cubism to sumptuous Dutch Golden Age still lifes and trompe l’oeil, conveying a hint of mischief.

Timur Akhriev, Princess, oil on panel, 19½ x 16"

Each personality is unique while reflecting the inherent attributes shared by the gallery’s other artists and owners.

“As artists ourselves, we know the level of dedication and sacrifice it takes to turn a passion into a full-time occupation and you learn to spot the artists that have a bit of a painting addiction,” says Megan.

Since opening the gallery back when they were in their early 20s, the Langes have held firm to the mantra “art belongs to everyone.” The diverse and inclusive variety of painting styles on view during New Blood honors that philosophy.

Robert Lange Studios 2 Queen Street • Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 805-8052 • www.robertlangestudios.com