Philip Hardy with one of his pieces. (Photo by Lynn Woods)
The isolation, simplicity and stark lighting of the images and sensual portrayal of the flesh suggests the dramatic, intimate narrative force of Caravaggio (whose paintings are like chiaroscuro movie stills), while the warm tones and classical poses recall the nudes of Titian. However, Hardy’s distortions and Surrealistic contrivances transform the figures into disturbing musings on the fate of beauty in the post-modern era. The classical ideal of perfection here transmutes toward the ugly, most noticeably in The Three Graces, in which the nudes are ungainly, potbellied, awkwardly posed. Eros has fled; the straining, muscled bodies evoke Titian’s Flaying of Marsyasrather than his Venuses.
Hardy’s amazing skill and imaginative vision achieve sublime heights in several of the works. Take the large painting of three tumbling figures floating like embryos in the darkened womb of space. Here the subtle ambiguities of the semi-obscured forms and their uncertain relationship to each other unsettle our assumptions. The bodies are posed yet aimlessly adrift, earthy yet spectral, not quite human. Stripped of identity or conscience, flesh retains its sense of pathos, of life struggling to survive.
Hardy said his images evolve out of his drawing and a complex painting process, involving layers of glazes and scumbling. “The great painting masters had a very close relationship with their materials,” Hardy writes on his website. In his case, “every aspect of the process is officiated.” His deep engagement with his materials, which results in subtle variations that contribute to the richness of his tones, effects a kind of “strange alchemy.”
Misty pastels
The third artist not to be missed in this month’s downtown exhibitions is Vincent Connelly, who is showing his pastel landscapes at the Arts Society of Kingston. Born and raised in Scotland, Connelly was influenced early on by the Turners he saw at the Tate, in London. After attending SUNY New Paltz, he studied with Wolf Kahn. His pared-down, misty landscapes, often depicting barns, reduced to their monumental, geometric forms, verge on the abstract. They are compositions of chromatic nuance and intensity whose expressive strokes and rubbings of the pastel medium evoke the moods and sensations of the landscape. Space and atmosphere are conveyed in the loose, exuberant application of his medium, while the harmonic color relationships and simple but bold compositional elements maintain the surface dynamic.
“Of Queens and Cabbages” is at the Gallery at R&F, 84 Ten Broeck Ave., through Sept. 22; Philip Hardy’s work is at One Mile, 475 Abeel St., through Aug. 25; Vincent Natale’s exhibition is at ASK, 97 Broadway, through Aug. 28.
Lynn, thank you so much for such a perceptive and intelligent review! Talking to you about the work in my show was a pleasure and reading your take on it all is even better. I appreciate your enthusiasm and understanding as well as your superb writing skills. Thank you!
There really is a dearth of good writing about art so it was a pleasure to read this insightful, lively review. Substance from both the artist and writer! It gives me hope. Thank you. Kathleen Lemoine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
It was a treat to read about Nancy’s work and feel a vivid essence of it from the text alone, and to know that Nancy feels it has been well interpreted. The photo is a nice bonus, as well.
I had the pleasure of viewing this show at RF and must say, it knocked my socks off. It is terrific work and so is this review. Thanks for an enlightening review.
Lynette Haggard, Boston Mass.
Thanks to Lynn Woods and the Kingston Times for this terrific review. We appreciate the acknowledgement!
Laura Moriarty
The Gallery at R&F
Bold and Refreshing work, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for writing this wonderful review of Nancy’s work. I live too far to actually see this show in person but I do love her work. Your review helps me feel I have really been there.
Thanks so much for this insightful review of Nancy’s work. The show is a must see. Don’t miss it!
Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful review. Discussion of Nancy’s (and other artists’ work) on all levels, (not simply a visual one) adds greatly to the public dialogue on visual art in general and to the understanding on multiple levels of specific work. R & F always invites/curates high level exhibits, and Nancy Natale’s exhibit is the most recent and wonderful addition and example. Go see it if you can!
This is great Nancy. And good for the Kinston Times. More focus on art shows is always good for the town.
So many good things to note here: a strong review by a fine writer of a talented artist showing at venue which consistently presents the very best work of regional, national and international artists. The Hudson Valley is rich in art and exhibitions; it’s encouraging to see The Kingston Times support the cultural community with such good writing.
Thank you for this thoughtful, insightful review of the work of Nancy Natale. It is inspiring to read an article that brings this dynamic work to light and featured in a local newspaper. Thanks, Lynn Woods and the Kingston Times.