PRESS: THE LIGHT WAS GRAY

Robert Lange Studios Presents “The Light Was Gray”
Artist Robert Lange creates light infused Trompe l’oeil paintings
November 2-20, 2007

Opening on November 2, The Light Was Gray showcases the oil paintings of artist and gallery owner Robert Lange, in his continued investigation into trompe l’oeil painting in black and white. On view through Nov. 20, the exhibit is also a celebration of the Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association’s Ninth Fine Art Annual in the historic French Quarter district of downtown Charleston.  A festive reception open to the public will be held on Nov. 2 starting at 5:30 p.m. featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres, and music.

The ten trompe l’oeil paintings in the exhibition are all focused on the interplay of light: reflections, shadows, and the varying qualities of a range of light sources. Works such as “The Unknown has Been Revealed,” a painting of a nude figure, literally “fool the eye” with surprisingly realistic renderings of black and white photographs taped to a wall, bending light with playful precision.

The subject matter chosen for Lange’s paintings often depict a fleeting moment that has been broken from its context as an autobiographical memory and recast as a shared experience. In “Pale as Porcelain,” a portrait of a young woman looking over her shoulder, Lange has transformed an image of a family friend into an icon of contemporary womanhood.

“Black and white photography is instantly nostalgic,” says Lange. “I find myself mesmerized by the simplest of compositions and in my mind can see them as single images in a giant album.”

For this show, at first glance it appears that snapshots of Lange’s life have been taped-up to a canvas and framed.  A closer look reveals that each black and white photo has been meticulously painted into permanence.

A merit scholar of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Lange has paintings in private collections throughout the United States and Europe.

The Light Was Gray series will hang at Robert Lange Studios at 151 East Bay St. from Friday, Nov. 2-Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. The opening reception will be Friday, Nov. 2, from 5:30-8:30 PM in conjunction with the CFADA’s Ninth Fine Art Annual.  Please visit www.robertlangestudios.com or call for more information 843.805.8052. Digital images are available upon request.