E11even2 Gallery’s upcoming exhibition “Variable Speed” features the work of Katy Clark and R!ch Cihlar. The two regional artists, in collaboration around the common theme of “birds,” take full flight, alighting on various media, styles, and techniques. Within the pedantic naturalism of John James Audubon and the reductive vision of Constantin Brancusi, Clark and Cihlar, in tandem, soar in their distinctive manifestations of the avian, airborne, the essence of the wonder of flight.
Recently returning to her hometown from Madison, Wisconsin, Katy Clark demonstrates a
lyrical fearlessness in all her work, readily veering from decorative illustration to bold
abstraction. With virtuosity in acrylic, gouache, watercolor, pen/ink, and cut-paper collage,
Clark can be joyfully gestural, intensely chromatic and then sinuously precise with controlled curvilinear line. Observing birds in nature, singularly or in flocks, she ranges from meditative to exuberant.
R!ch Cihlar, as part of Don’t Panic! has helped propel graffiti art into Cleveland’s cultural
mainstream. His work offers a dynamic counterpoint to Clark’s fluid brushwork and intricate draughtsmanship with his multi-layered, spray-painted stenciled forms. As Clark’s birds flutter and hum, Cihlar’s scream. Along with his paintings, he perpetuates the Pop vernacular by appropriating found objects in quirky crafted “skateboard birdhouses,” fully functional and ready for backyard birdwatching.
In preparation for “Variable Speed,” Cihlar states, “In its simplest form this exhibition will look like a bird themed show, but the constructive result will be the completed work from two artists who were given the same project but ended up with much different results.”
Celebrate Spring and anticipate Summer with “Variable Speed” at E11even2 Gallery. Surround yourself with images of birds, these magical, mysterious creatures that perch on our trees, peck at our flowers, and gloriously populate our skies.
Opening Reception for “Variable Speed” at the E11even2 Gallery is May 20, 5-9pm with the Closing Reception June 17, 5-9pm
