The Linda Matney Gallery, though a relatively small space, always seems to house a great variety of art, and the gallery’s most recent opening was no exception.
The triple opening on Nov. 12 included drawings by Chicago-based artist Michael Paxton, traditional photography prints from local college students and monoprints by Elaine Viel.
The gallery’s largest space contains more than 10 of Paxton’s drawings, and the title of the show, “Unleashing Instinct,” describes the essence of the artist’s nonrepresentational works.
“It’s completely stripped bare of everything but the instinct and the process,”said Lee Matney, gallery owner and curator.
In other words, Matney said, “the process is instinct.”
Imagine, then, the contrast of Paxton’s instinctive earth-toned drawings against traditional prints from College of William and Mary photography students.
The “Gelatin Silver” show contains some of the first prints from the college’s new darkroom, said Matney, who curated the show with professor Eliot Dudik.
Moving forward, Matney said the gallery hopes to display more photography. Interestingly, both Matney and Ashley Ridgway, gallery consultant and intern, studied traditional photography.
“It’s been kind of inspirational for us to think about our own work,” Ridgway said.
A selection of monoprints by Elaine Viel completed last weekend’s opening. Viel formerly worked in Christopher Newport University’s art department and Falk Gallery.
Through February, 20 percent of all sales at the gallery will go toward the Triangle Arts and Culture League (TACL), a nonprofit that funds local public art projects.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
Want to go?
When: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-5 p.m., Friday.
Where: Linda Matney Fine Art Gallery, 5435 Richmond Road (behind Carolina Furniture).
More info: 757-675-6627, LindaMatneyGallery.com.
