Works capture natural views of the land

 

 (PNAN-VA) – Two exhibitions that focuses on the art of the landscape, “Unbroken Thread: The Art of Philip Koch” and “The Virginia Landscape: Works on Paper” are on view through October 2 at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News.

      In over 40 works small and large, drawing and oil, Maryland artist Philip Koch translates his observations of the beauty of nature with striking intensity, impressive subtlety and a hint of abstraction. With a clear passion for the landscape, his work shows the crimson sky, halos of lunar light and monumental stands of pine.

     As a former abstract painter, artist Koch became attracted to the romantic tradition of American landscape painting that began in the 19th century with member artists from the Hudson River School, like John F. Kensett and Sanford Gifford, including later artists, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent, who were guiding sources for him.

     While the 19th century painters sought to depict the vastness of the new world of North America, Koch’s works adopt a different stance. Many observers find surreal feeling in his landscape, but one the link between the past landscapists and him is the shared sense of sublime, overarching beauty of the natural world.

     For ‘Unbroken Thread,’ Koch painted in some of the same locations in New England as did the past artists: Cape Cod and three key centers of landscape painting history in Maine, Ogunquit, Mt. Desert Island and Monhegan Island. The exhibition is accompanied by a 92 page scholarly catalogue with an essay by Eva J. Allen, Ph.D., an art historian from the University of Maryland.

     “The Virginia Landscape: Works on Paper” will present the works of Ron Boehmer, Lynchburg, VA; J. Robert Burnell, Portsmouth, VA; Marc Castelli, Chestertown, MD; Frank Hobbs, Delaware, OH; Cynthia Rector Jones, Norfolk VA; Ray Kass, Christiansburg, VA; Kathy Muehlemann, Lynchburg, VA; Kelly Nelson, Farmville, VA; James Prosek, Easton, CT; Maruta Racenis, Richmond, VA; Scott Stanard, Hampton, VA, who show various approaches to the diverse Virginia landscape.

     “The Virginia landscape offers an impressive range – from the mountains to the sea, from farms and woodlands to towns and cityscapes. This exhibition offers a dynamic diversity while focusing on works on paper – paintings, drawings and prints. Traditional pictorial imagery – lyrical and poetic – are included, as are works that are ‘Virginia inspired’ and in a more contemporary vein,” said Pfac Curator Michael Preble, who has organized this show.

     For more information, including the related events, call 757.596.8175 or see: www.pfac-va.org.