The South is known for a lot of things—its charm, true grit and its idyllic countryside, to name a few. From magnificent sunsets to seaside strolls and lazy summer days, Principle Gallery is offering a fresh perspective on visions of the Low Country and beyond in the exhibition Scenes from the South.
Geoffrey Johnson, South End, oil on board, 48 x 60"
The group show opens September 6 with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m., and runs through September 30 at the gallery’s Charleston, South Carolina, location. It will feature more than 25 works from four artists and four different southern states: Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. Pieces range from urban compositions to sea and landscapes, highlighting Southern scenes that will appeal to a wide variety of collectors.
From Georgia, Steven S. Walker’s painting Thoughts of The Day,evokes a sense of peacefulness as the sun peeks through the clouds, casting a comforting glow.
Bethanne Kinsella Cople, We Walked Beside the Sea, oil on board, 36 x 36"
He says, “For these pieces, I wanted to develop something that was indicative of the Low Country. I also wanted to stay true to my aesthetic, incorporating rich colors. The locations are a composite of places that I’ve visited during road trips to the Southeast Coast. Some of the clouds and skies I had to borrow from references that I’ve taken in the past. I’m about composing what will get an emotional reaction.” Walker hopes that when people see his work, they will come away with a better appreciation of the beauty the region offers.
The artist representing North Carolina is impressionist painter Geoffrey Johnson, whose signature silhouetted style exudes an introspective feeling that pulls the viewer into his worlds. The painting South Endportrays a lone figure walking along a sandy shore. The scene is quiet and contemplative, conveying a sense of isolation but also an inviting hopeful longing.
Gene Costanza, Summer Sunday – Afternoon Sail, oil on linen, 20 x 30"
In contrast, We Walked Beside the Sea by Virginia plein air artist Bethanne Kinsella Cople, is a beachside scene full of color. It almost feels like a snapshot, capturing a candid moment as beachgoers mill about their day. Her landscapes are like memories trapped in a bottle, making them feel nostalgic and timeless.
Gene Costanza, from Texas, also has a way of seizing a moment inside a landscape. His painting Summer Sunday - Afternoon Sail,brings the viewer into the scene, allowing them to imagine that they, too, are staring out at the water on a Sunday afternoon.
Steven Walker, Thoughts of the Day, oil, 30 x 30"
Scenes From the South explores scenic southern landscapes through the eyes of real Southerners, with each artist bringing their own interpretation to the canvas, celebrating all aspects of the region through glimpses of unfiltered moments that make the South come alive. —
Principle Gallery 125 Meeting Street • Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 727-4500 • www.principlegallery.com
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