NASCENT - SELECTED WORK
July- August 8th 2020
nas ent, adj.
springing up: arising: beginning to exist or to grow.-n. Nas cency, the beginning of production: birth or origin. [L. nascens, -entis, pr.p. of nasci, natus, to be born.]
Atelier Newport reopens with a two artist exhibition, Nascent, a pairing of abstract paintings by Rose Umerlik and sculptures by Patrick Kana.
The title, Nascent, is of particular relevance now as we rise up, and awaken from the past few months. The breaking down of archaic, and inequitable systems, and an up-welling of peace, communication, awareness, kindness, and thoughtfulness.
These are the the tools for a long and over-due birthing of respect and equality for all.
This title is also fitting as we celebrate the arrival of Rose Umerlik and Matt Considine's first child. In the chaos of loss, disrepair and strife, love and life prevail.
In writing about her work, Rose states "the unapologetic forms in these paintings communicate the emotional undertones that dominated my life last autumn. I created this work after a significant loss in my life. I focused on my usual themes of relationships, family and self-examination, but this work is noticeably different than previous work: there is a push towards stronger simplicity, my color palette is noticeably pared down, and the heightened contrast of darks and whites all communicate the profound transformation that was percolating inside of me at the time. I was in pain, but the pain was freeing...
it gave me an indescribable courage to break from the past and move boldly into this new work, to leave behind any doubts or inhibitions or old habits...to impulsively and intuitively paint because I needed to heal and I wanted to reclaim my life and my own sense of power. Through this body of work, I grew away from grief and towards a future that I could call my own, full of hope and love. I feel such a strong connection to these pieces and I hope others can feel it too."
Patrick Kana, is a furniture designer, and educator born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Having been trained by traditional furniture makers, sculptors, and contemporary designers, both stateside and overseas, he creates furniture and objects that investigate the relationship between form, material, and method, often with botanical and architectural references. With an education grounded both in apprenticeships and academia, his methodologies bridge age-old methods with modern technology, all while maintaining a sensitivity and commitment to timeless objects.
In this body of work, Patrick's exploration of specimens and seeds inspired the title for the show, and we felt fitting of the current times. A seeding, and an uprising and a birthing of time for equality.
As a son of two marine biologists and an active sailor himself, the art of the scientific method and the ability to question natural artifacts has become a backbone of his design logic. Nearly 15 years of studio experience in various media has embedded his work in this process - the perpetual curiosity behind the why of making far exceeds the temporary intrigue of how. His work is about discovering the forms that are truly worthy of existing. Explorations of both the natural and architectural world, fused with the finest selected materials and time-tested methods yield artwork that is inherently one-of-a-kind.
The intuitive synchronicity of these abstract paintings and sculptures is a breath of beauty that we all need right now.