Elizabeth Bentley
Easy Glowing Reef
February 16 – March 16, 2013Opening reception Saturday, February 16 from 6 – 10 PM
Tomato House Gallery is pleased to present Elizabeth Bentley’s first solo exhibition at the gallery. The exhibition consists of acrylic paintings immersed within a faux landscape sculptural installation called a "Tropical Enclosure". The large format paintings depict whimsical scenes that radiate with imaginative energy. Simplified landscape elements made of flattened blocks of color compete with clashing decorative patterns. The installation offers variations on tropical paradise vacations, abstract textile design, and the artificially enhanced nature found in commercial tourist attractions.
Elizabeth's work has a visible sense of spontaneity that leaves room for open-ended interpretation. Anthropomorphic decorative designs often misinterpreted as aliens appear from a meandering materialization of thought. In her work, there is little distinction of animal or vegetable, shapes may drink coffee, and a pile of dollar store junk effortlessly becomes whimsical furniture jewelry. Often inspired by her eccentric collection of thrift store treasures and natural wonders, Elizabeth playfully incorporates them with a process similar to channeling their psychometric energy.
Born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Elizabeth received a BFA at Pratt Institute in 2009. Her thesis exhibition entitled Hairy/Blurry featured large format oil paintings of semi-abstract hybrid creatures and glowing green plexiglass crystal constructions surrounding foam cocoons. In Summer 2012 she attended an artist residency at Marina 59 in the Rockaways that ended in her solo exhibition Temperate Root Chew Mirage. The work was made in collaboration with the two goats that lived there. Elizabeth helped the goats make sculptures called Statchews out of various root vegetables, which became the inspiration for a series of paintings.
Elizabeth's work has a visible sense of spontaneity that leaves room for open-ended interpretation. Anthropomorphic decorative designs often misinterpreted as aliens appear from a meandering materialization of thought. In her work, there is little distinction of animal or vegetable, shapes may drink coffee, and a pile of dollar store junk effortlessly becomes whimsical furniture jewelry. Often inspired by her eccentric collection of thrift store treasures and natural wonders, Elizabeth playfully incorporates them with a process similar to channeling their psychometric energy.
Born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Elizabeth received a BFA at Pratt Institute in 2009. Her thesis exhibition entitled Hairy/Blurry featured large format oil paintings of semi-abstract hybrid creatures and glowing green plexiglass crystal constructions surrounding foam cocoons. In Summer 2012 she attended an artist residency at Marina 59 in the Rockaways that ended in her solo exhibition Temperate Root Chew Mirage. The work was made in collaboration with the two goats that lived there. Elizabeth helped the goats make sculptures called Statchews out of various root vegetables, which became the inspiration for a series of paintings.