Celia Reisman: Chosen Places
Paul Thiebaud Gallery proudly unveils “Chosen Places,” a captivating showcase featuring the latest artworks by the talented Philadelphia-based artist, Celia Reisman. Scheduled for debut on Saturday, February 17th, the exhibition promises a delightful experience with an opening reception from 3-5pm, accompanied by an engaging artist talk at 3:30pm. Attendees can immerse themselves in eleven exquisite paintings and drawings capturing the essence of suburban landscapes across the United States, alongside a fresh series inspired by Reisman’s enriching teaching expedition to Ireland in the summer of 2023. Blurring the lines between realism and abstraction, Reisman’s creations celebrate the allure of everyday domestic architecture and its harmonious integration within the natural landscape. The exhibition will grace the gallery walls until April 6, 2024.
For Celia Reisman, the essence of a place lies in its memory – the intricate interplay of structures, the organic arrangement of flora, and the interplay of light. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings in suburban Philadelphia and her extensive travels across the United States and abroad, Reisman’s body of work serves as a visual chronicle, akin to a personal diary capturing her myriad experiences. Departing from literal representation, she skillfully simplifies details, distorts proportions, and infuses vibrant colors to evoke the emotive resonance of each scene.
Reisman’s drawings provide a glimpse into her creative process, revealing the meticulous construction of compositions. Through delicate graphite lines overlaid with expertly applied watercolors, each piece embodies a compression of space and a selective isolation of elements – hallmarks of Reisman’s mature style. Echoing the abstracted aesthetics of early 20th-century American Regionalists like Milton Avery and Thomas Hart Benton, her artworks also pay homage to the flat color planes reminiscent of post-impressionist Nabis painters from late 19th-century France.
Hailing from Syracuse, NY, Celia Reisman spent her formative years in Cleveland Heights, OH, before pursuing her passion for painting at Carnegie-Mellon University (BFA 1971) and later earning an MFA from the prestigious Yale School of Art in 1978. Throughout her illustrious career, Reisman has garnered acclaim, receiving numerous awards, grants, and residencies, including the 2001 Leeway Foundation – Window of Opportunity Award, the 2004 Rochefort-en-Terre Painting Residency in Brittany, France, and the 2009 Hassan, Speicher, Betts, and Symons Fund Purchase from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Her works adorn corporate and private collections across the United States, reflecting her enduring influence and artistic resonance. “Chosen Places” marks Reisman’s third solo exhibition at Paul Thiebaud Gallery, a testament to her enduring creative prowess and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.
For further information and media inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to contact Gallery Associate Greg Hemming at: greg@paulthiebaudgallery.com.