Catherine O’Connell

New Paintings

Stephen Blackburn

Recent Work

CATHERINE O’CONNELL — New Paintings
STEPHEN BLACKBURN — Recent Work

September 9 – October 15, 2011
Artist Reception – Saturday, September 17, 2011, 5 – 7:00 pm
First Friday – October 7, 6 – 8:30 pm

LGTripp Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of recent works by gallery artists Catherine O’Connell and Stephen Blackburn. Through the combination and interaction of shapes and colors, the artists explore how these two elements can be utilized, one in sculpture and one in painting.

There are two types of space – positive space and negative space. The negative space, or the empty space, is at the root of Catherine O’Connell’s new body of work. Drawing from real life spaces, she manipulates colors and shapes to define and understand the absence and presence of “space” in every day life. The works have a voyeuristic perception as swatches of color compose flashes of memories. Reduced down to color and line, the works are an expression of the artist’s uncertain reality.

Catherine O’Connell earned her MFA at Maryland Institute College of Art in 2010 and BFA, in painting and drawing, at Pennsylvania State University in 2005. She was the recipient of the Margaret Giffen Schoenfelder Memorial Award for excellence in painting. Originally from the Philadelphia area, O’Connell now resides in Baltimore, MD.

Three-dimensional constructions, Stephen Blackburn’s sculptures are the sum of smaller parts, melding found objects and welded steel, each added to further evoke a whimsical and light emotion. Some works may suggest a recognizable form or creature, but overall the simple geometric shapes of the sculptures, highlighted with splashes of color, amuse and intrigue. Emphasizing design over fit and finish, Blackburn’s focus is on shape and form.

Stephen Blackburn attended The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts for one year in 1969, returned twenty-five years later and graduated in May 2001. At that time he was awarded the Fellowship Trust Prize and became the first recipient of the Women’s Board Prize. Blackburn’s sculptures have been exhibited at LGTripp Gallery, Chester County Art Association, Immaculata University Art Show and Gallery Siano. Stephen Blackburn grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, where he still lives today.

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