SWAMPSCOTT — The pre-holiday group art show will take place this Saturday, December 3rd from 12 p.m to 6 p.m. at ReachArts lower art gallery. Featured artists for the event will include Alexander Gassel, Katya Popova, Freda Nemirovsky, and Pat Gorham. Refreshments will be served at the gallery.
Gassel was born in Moscow in 1947 and graduated from the Moscow Institute of Arts and Graphics in 1970 with an MA in Fine Arts. Because of the influence of the experience of personal interpretations of Biblical events, the artist began to create original paintings.
He paints with egg yolk tempera, making his color pigments by grinding natural stones and minerals, such as malachite, cinnabar, or lapis into powder, which he then mixes with egg yolk. The artist often applies gold or silver leaves on the paintings. Blending the avant-garde with traditional Russian iconography, combining ancient symbols with contemporary subjects, Gassel creates surrealist works that reflect his cultural heritage alongside his experience of life in America.
Popova was born in Moscow and came to the United States at 18. She works at the intersection of physical texture, shadow, and sound. In her work, Popova traces everyday items’ physical gestures and material qualities. This exhibit will show her 2D work.
Freda Nemirovsky is an award-winning artist. She is inspired by various visual rhythms in nature created by light and color. She works primarily from direct observation. As Freda tries to capture the beauty of a particular subject she relies on patterns of bold color and subtle tonal ranges.
Gorham considers herself a lifelong emerging artist. Her art is about spontaneously experimenting with mixed media. It is more about the ongoing creative process than the result.
Gorham’s favorite subject is everyday life, including people. Her free-flowing, painterly style is semi-abstract to allow for individual interpretation. Her art is as fluid and unpredictable as her subjects.
“I believe in creating art and appreciating art is a universal language that really connects us,” said Gorham. She is a retired special education teacher that thinks art is a fabulous learning tool for connecting students.
There is no ticket fee for entry to the gallery, and there will be items for sale at the show, such as large pieces of art, while other items are note cards and charcoal sketches.
