Walk the walk, Stunning art exhibits open in the French Quarter
By Olivia Pool, Special to The Post and Courier
Thursday, May 6, 2010
‘A Visual Duet’ at Robert Lange Studios
The action and beat of city life are captured in a series of new, youth-infused works created by Nathan Durfee and Jessica Dunegan of Robert Lange Studios. At this Friday’s Art Walk, RLS will unveil the “2010 Piccolo Spoleto Festival JAC Jazz Series” poster image and a collection of more than 25 new works, mostly music themed, which will be spread out over the 2 Queen St. gallery space.
Nathan Durfee’s new series, partially inspired by the music of local jazz artists, features narrative ink drawings as well as small and medium paintings. Jessica Dunegan has created bold, high-gloss, resin and acrylic works complimenting his works. “Composed of fragmentary elements of memory from concerts, the images capture people swishing their hair and jamming out to music,” says gallery director Megan Lange of Dunegan’s works.
“Music and visual art go hand in hand,” says Lange. “Capturing the creation or experience of music in a visual medium is an interesting prospect that both Nathan and Jessica do in their own unique way.”
“Durfee’s new works highlight moments where music is being not only heard, but also experienced. One of Nathan’s ink drawings shows a saxophone player and where the ink splatters on the paper; the music would be blasting out of the sax,” comments Lange. In describing this new body of work, Durfee states, “I’m inspired by the sounds of life around me.”
Dunegan works with resin on panel. “She makes paintings that seem to float in a liquid glass. One piece for the duet showing of new work is titled “Gypsy,” the 8-by-10-inch painting shows an explosion of dark hair in the foreground, as a gold-sequined, jacket-wearing girl dances in the background,” explains Lange.
