ART Magazine. San Antonio, Texas.
By Mariel Bayona
Surge: a strong, wavelike, forward movement, rush, or sweep. The title to Julie Shipp Colbert’s series is quite self-explanatory. “Surge” is an exhibition consisting a collection that captures visual anomalies of light and color in action. The paintings mimic the spontaneous yet unexplainable forces of nature. There is a smooth movement in the paintings that is constant throughout the whole collection. The series also varies in translucent and continuous silent brush strokes.
“Surge” varies in color. Even though, the color seems to connect throughout the series because of its translucence and vibrance, giving a specific mood or even a specific rhythm to the movement implied in the pieces.
The first impression of the paintings is abstract. After the first moment of contemplation, the viewer starts to see natural mimics of swirls and diagonals that are often witnessed in natural light movements which take the aesthetic experience into another level.
The series is a further step in the concept of mimicking the unpredictable and conflicting forces of nature. “Surge” implies a direct confrontation of both natural phenomenon and the very nature of painting. Colbert states: “ …the paint takes a more active role on the surface by implying motion and illusionistic space, and multi-directional applications; and the light sources often seem intense, and not entirely naturalistic…”
The opening night took place Joan Grona Contemporary Art Space this first Thursday. The energy between the paintings was peaceful, making the audience feel comfortable through out the contemplation of the series.
Joan Grona is located 112 BlueStar, San Antonio, Texas 78204. For more information visit www.joangallery.com or contact jgrona@satx.rr.com.
