Laura Rathe Fine Art Presents New Works by Notable Contemporary Artist, Gavin Rain, Icons
Acclaimed Houston gallery, Laura Rathe Fine Art will host an exhibition of new works by contemporary painter, Gavin Rain, in a solo show, Icons, with an opening reception on Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 5-8pm at 1700 Post Oak Blvd. Rain’s works aims to stimulate the eye and mind simultaneously, creating a constant fluctuation of information being transmitted between the work and the viewer. The exhibition will be on view through April 6, 2016.
Houston, TX, February 21, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Acclaimed Houston gallery, Laura Rathe Fine Art will host an exhibition of new works by contemporary painter, Gavin Rain, in a solo show, Icons, with an opening reception on Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 5-8pm at 1700 Post Oak Blvd. Rain’s works aims to stimulate the eye and mind simultaneously, creating a constant fluctuation of information being transmitted between the work and the viewer. The intention behind Rain’s body of work is to expand his audience’s perception of cognitive and visual possibilities. Combining seemingly disparate elements of art and mathematics, Rain creates a visual harmony among the abstract play of colors and geometry. The exhibition will be on view through April 6, 2016.
“I usually dislike art that doesn’t communicate anything. I also hate it when I’m viewing art and I don’t know the message. I wanted to avoid that – everyone has to get my message – which is to step back.” -Gavin Rain
About The Artist
Gavin Rain was raised in Cape Town, South African and continues to live and work there today. He draws from traditional pointillist studies and layers that style with the Russian avant-garde of the early 1900’s along with today’s modern digital imagery. Gavin’s technique can be dissected from two vantage points; up close, the works reveal small concentric circles, but from afar, the viewer’s eye combines these acrylic combinations, to see a clear portrait and distinct subject. This process begins from a sketch, to which Rain will add a string grid. The system is labor and time-intensive, and results in pinpoint accuracy that allows for the image to take on such a crisp shape.
Rain picks his colors for the works based on a list of 14,000 unique color combinations. Of these individual sets of concentric circles, Gavin picks the proper combination of points to create the effect of colors merging. The other key factor to Rain’s neo-pointillism is the size of each concentric circle, and how the varying sizes visually interact with the white space on the canvas. Small and large sized circles work together to form lighter and darker hues, respectively, to give Rain’s subjects depth and definition.
Rain’s works traverse the arena of technological commentary and how we consume art today. When viewed through a digital camera such as a smartphone the works snap into focus up-close. As the work appears on the digital screens, it allows the viewer to experience a visual dissonance between what the mind’s eye register’s versus what technology insists upon. This cognitive tension bolsters the dualistic message of imagery hiding in plain sight. Gavin’s composition and arrangement presents viewers with a clear yet hidden image, reminding them to consider the whole as being greater than the sum of its parts. With the macro as a crux, the audience is reminded to focus on the big picture and broaden their gaze.
Rain was educated in Art and Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town. He has been featured in the 2011 Venice Biennale, TEFAF Maastricht, and has commissioned portraits for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in his home country.
About Laura Rathe Fine Art
With over 25 years of experience in the art industry, gallery owner, Laura Rathe, started her career working as a private art dealer. She established Laura Rathe Fine Art in 1998 in Houston, Texas, located in Upper Kirby at 2707 Colquitt Street on Gallery Row. In February 2013, the gallery expanded, opening a second location in Dallas on Dragon Street, the city’s premiere arts district destination. This September, LRFA opened a third location in the heart of Uptown Houston, located at 1700 Post Oak Blvd in 1 BLVD Place.
Laura Rathe Fine Art represents established, mid-career contemporary artists, many of whom have been acquired into world-renowned private, corporate and museum collections. Various important public collections include BBVA Compass, HKS Architects Headquarters, CBRE, Wells Fargo, W Hotels, UTSW Hospital and Halliburton.
For additional information, details or to schedule an interview, please contact 713.527.7700, Casey Baden, Associate Director Casey@LauraRathe.com
“I usually dislike art that doesn’t communicate anything. I also hate it when I’m viewing art and I don’t know the message. I wanted to avoid that – everyone has to get my message – which is to step back.” -Gavin Rain
About The Artist
Gavin Rain was raised in Cape Town, South African and continues to live and work there today. He draws from traditional pointillist studies and layers that style with the Russian avant-garde of the early 1900’s along with today’s modern digital imagery. Gavin’s technique can be dissected from two vantage points; up close, the works reveal small concentric circles, but from afar, the viewer’s eye combines these acrylic combinations, to see a clear portrait and distinct subject. This process begins from a sketch, to which Rain will add a string grid. The system is labor and time-intensive, and results in pinpoint accuracy that allows for the image to take on such a crisp shape.
Rain picks his colors for the works based on a list of 14,000 unique color combinations. Of these individual sets of concentric circles, Gavin picks the proper combination of points to create the effect of colors merging. The other key factor to Rain’s neo-pointillism is the size of each concentric circle, and how the varying sizes visually interact with the white space on the canvas. Small and large sized circles work together to form lighter and darker hues, respectively, to give Rain’s subjects depth and definition.
Rain’s works traverse the arena of technological commentary and how we consume art today. When viewed through a digital camera such as a smartphone the works snap into focus up-close. As the work appears on the digital screens, it allows the viewer to experience a visual dissonance between what the mind’s eye register’s versus what technology insists upon. This cognitive tension bolsters the dualistic message of imagery hiding in plain sight. Gavin’s composition and arrangement presents viewers with a clear yet hidden image, reminding them to consider the whole as being greater than the sum of its parts. With the macro as a crux, the audience is reminded to focus on the big picture and broaden their gaze.
Rain was educated in Art and Neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town. He has been featured in the 2011 Venice Biennale, TEFAF Maastricht, and has commissioned portraits for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in his home country.
About Laura Rathe Fine Art
With over 25 years of experience in the art industry, gallery owner, Laura Rathe, started her career working as a private art dealer. She established Laura Rathe Fine Art in 1998 in Houston, Texas, located in Upper Kirby at 2707 Colquitt Street on Gallery Row. In February 2013, the gallery expanded, opening a second location in Dallas on Dragon Street, the city’s premiere arts district destination. This September, LRFA opened a third location in the heart of Uptown Houston, located at 1700 Post Oak Blvd in 1 BLVD Place.
Laura Rathe Fine Art represents established, mid-career contemporary artists, many of whom have been acquired into world-renowned private, corporate and museum collections. Various important public collections include BBVA Compass, HKS Architects Headquarters, CBRE, Wells Fargo, W Hotels, UTSW Hospital and Halliburton.
For additional information, details or to schedule an interview, please contact 713.527.7700, Casey Baden, Associate Director Casey@LauraRathe.com
Contact
Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston
Casey Baden
713-527-7700
www.laurarathe.com
Associate Director
Casey Baden
713-527-7700
www.laurarathe.com
Associate Director
Contact
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