Steve Rockwell – Page 21 – dArt International Magazine

February 26, 2022March 18, 2022

The Tao of Mary Hrbacek’s Trees

by Thalia Vrachopoulos

Mary Hrbacek, Hanging Suspended, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 40X44" — Mary Hrbacek, Hanging Suspended, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 40X44″

In her October exhibition at 107 West in New York City, Mary Hrbacek displays her series World Trees, 2015. Consisting of 24 acrylic on linen paintings, the series represents Hrbacek’s engagement and commitment to world sustainability. In a lyrical, evocative manner she accentuates the import of trees’ life-giving properties that allow humans to live and breathe. In this she recognizes that an individual working with the community can make for a real democracy. Hrbacek also realizes that there is a dark side to life and nature, as seen in her work Silver Dark Monarch, 2015 (acrylic on linen, 8×10″) that looks ominous when compared to some of her other tree paintings. Dark Monarch with its pink, black, green and silver tones recalls the withering effects of such an entity’s sovereignty. Hrbacek’s motifs are inspired by trees she came across in her travels to such places as Vermont, Italy, China, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Ireland, France and other places.

February 25, 2022March 18, 2022

Maelee Lee: Genesis

Verse 27: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them

by Dr. Thalia Vrachopoulos

Maelee Lee, Genesis, 2016, variable installation, multi channel video 2min. each

Several years ago, for her new series of works, the artist Melee Lee began examining the issue of existence; being, becoming, having become – the world’s, other people’s, her own. This research led her to look at human development in general and more specifically into its issues. Consequently, this series of works involve history, humanity, while looking at diverse ethnic groups as well as the never-ending cycle of existence – life and death, as well as the establishment and demolition of nations.

February 22, 2022March 14, 2022

Lie-yi Shen: Art into Life

by Thalia Vrachopoulos

Lie-yi Shen, Moisture, 2009, green granite, 300 x 140 x 60 cm — Lie-yi Shen, *Moisture*, 2009, green granite, 300 x 140 x 60 cm

Lie-yi Shen works on his sculptural series for long periods of time, conceptualizing and finessing them while developing artworks in continuity. Many of his projects, as seen in Seesaw, (2012-21), Water Series (2001-21), Sky Series, (2012-19), Nest Series, (2004-21), can be discussed in terms of the Minimalist spirit in that they are repeated but gradually varied geometric artworks that use industrial materials. But Shen’s sculpture is different in the sense that he sometimes makes use of organic objects within them, starting a new work by adding various surprising components to his original piece. Because of this continued relationship and growth over time, in his work we can conclude that Shen has arrived at the mature stage of his career.

February 19, 2022March 14, 2022

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center’s Permanent Collection

by D. Dominick Lombardi

Balthus, La semaine des quatre jeudis (The Week of Four Thursdays) (1949), oil on canvas, 38 1/2 x 33 1/4 inches — Balthus, *La semaine des quatre jeudis (The Week of Four Thursdays)* (1949), oil on canvas, 38 1/2 x 33 1/4 inches

My original intent was to review one of the four new exhibitions at The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, but as museum’s often go, I am more drawn to the offerings of their permanent collection. This is not to say the four ancillary curated exhibitions are not wonderful, they are. I just need to focus my comments as there is so much here to see, and no matter when you might visit this museum, you will have a very fulfilling experience, especially if you engage one of the extremely knowledgeable guards who enjoy sharing compelling facts about the art.

February 19, 2022March 14, 2022

Rachid Koraïchi : Le Chant de l’Ardent Désir

by Siba Kumar Das

Rachid Koraïchi, Jardin d'Afrique, 2021, woven tapestry, 129.92 x 90.94 in. Courtesy of Aicon Art — Rachid Koraïchi, Jardin d’Afrique, 2021, woven tapestry, 129.92 x 90.94 in. Courtesy of Aicon Art

Open till March 12, 2022, this is Aicon Art’s third solo show celebrating the art of Rachid Koraïchi—humanist, polymath, creator of art carrying universal significance. While originating in a culture permeated by Quranic scholarship and Sufi mysticism, his art crosses artistic frontiers going beyond Islamic calligraphy and inscription. In inventing a unique artistic language, Koraïchi draws upon many languages and cultures, including those of the Berber and Tuareg peoples. Within his fold, too, are invented Chinese ideograms plus magical squares and talismanic glyphs and other auspicious signs. Also most impressive is the range of his materials, the employment of which has often inspired the artist to create a symbiotic partnership with designers and artisans around the globe.