Across the vast landscape of the United States, art has always reflected place. Whether it's the red dust of the desert, the fog-swept coastlines, or the humid Southern lowcountry, the regions of America are more than just backdrops—they're active forces in the making of art. In this blog post (I'm just starting my coffee so bear with me) I'd like to take a look at the unique voices and styles emerging from the Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest—and how our gallery, Robert Lange Studios, honors those voices while also reaching beyond regionalism to embrace a more expansive view of contemporary art.
SOUTHEAST: Storytelling Through Atmosphere
The Southeast—stretching from Charleston to New Orleans to the Appalachian foothills—is steeped in storytelling. The art of this region often channels the heat, humidity, and historical complexity of the South. Think ethereal landscapes, figurative works with narrative weight, and a deep attention to mood.
Prominent Artists:
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Bo Bartlett (Georgia) – Known for his large-scale realist paintings, Bartlett’s work feels cinematic, marrying Southern storytelling with surreal undertones. He is one of our all time favorite painters (for so many reasons).
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Stephen Scott Young (South Carolina) – His watercolor portraits of everyday life in the Bahamas and the American South are studies in technique and tenderness.
Here at the gallery, Robert Lange Studios, in Charleston, we see this influence often—but we also recognize the danger of limiting our gallery to Southern themes of magnolias, marshes, and memory. The region is evolving, and so is its visual language.
SOUTHWEST: Land, Light, and Lore
The Southwest—New Mexico, Arizona, West Texas—offers a dramatically different energy. With its open skies and rich Indigenous traditions, this region has long attracted artists drawn to its elemental power and light.
Prominent Artists:
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Georgia O’Keeffe (New Mexico) – While no longer living, her legacy remains foundational. Her abstractions of desert bones and flowers shifted how we see the American landscape.
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Tony Abeyta (Navajo Nation, New Mexico) – A leading contemporary Native artist whose mixed-media work bridges ancestral symbology with modern expression.
Art here often leans toward the spiritual, minimal, and materially grounded—painting, pottery, and sculpture that echo the terrain itself.
NORTHEAST: Conceptual Clarity and Cultural Density
Home to major cities like New York and Boston, the Northeast is the intellectual heartbeat of the American art world. Conceptualism, abstraction, and urban realism thrive here, influenced by proximity to academia, institutions, and global art commerce.
Prominent Artists:
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Kehinde Wiley (New York) – His reimagined portraits of Black subjects in classical poses challenge both historical and regional narratives.
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Julie Mehretu (New York) – Known for her layered, architectural paintings, Mehretu’s work explores space, geopolitics, and abstraction.
Northeastern artists often lead conversations around identity, theory, and technology. The energy here is less about nature, more about culture in collision.
NORTHWEST: Ecology and Experimentation
In contrast, the Northwest—Oregon, Washington, Northern California—is defined by misty forests, environmental consciousness, and a strong DIY ethos. Art here frequently weaves in themes of climate, craft, and introspection.
Prominent Artists:
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Maya Lin (Oregon) – Though nationally recognized for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, her recent work engages deeply with environmental issues, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
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Terry Winters (Washington) – Abstract, scientific, and often process-driven, his work reflects the region’s inclination toward experimentation and nature-informed abstraction.
You’ll find everything from delicate installations using recycled materials to bold political statements rendered in wool, wood, or light.
Why Robert Lange Studios Looks Beyond Borders
At Robert Lange Studios, we're proud to call Charleston, South Carolina home—but we don’t let geography define us. We have been planning next years show's this week and the desire to push themes and ideas is ever present in our conversations.
While we are surrounded by the rich traditions and textures of the Southeast, our gallery consistently features artists from across the country (and world) whose work transcends regional confines. Whether it's a hyperrealist painter from the Pacific Northwest, a narrative sculptor from the Midwest, or a magical realist from New York, we curate based on vision, craft, and emotional resonance, not ZIP codes.
By highlighting a diverse range of styles and stories, we aim to connect collectors and viewers with art that speaks across borders—both literal and conceptual.
Because in the end, the best art doesn’t just reflect where it’s from. It tells us where we’re all going.
