Archive for August, 2014

Exhibition at University Unitarian Church

Monday, August 11th, 2014

Pentimenti

Paintings by Tamara Stephas

September 7 – October 17, 2014

Opening reception Sunday, September 7, 1-3pm

University Unitarian Church
6556 35th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98115

CutCover 7704 detail II 450x408
Detail from Cut and Cover, oil on canvas, 2014.

Pentimenti are traces of changes in design or composition made by the artist during the process of painting.

The Northwest landscape has been significantly recomposed as each generation pursues its current vision of progress.  This series explores the changing relationship between humans and our environment, our evolving definitions of progress, and the stories we tell ourselves about it.

I am influenced by the technical virtuosity and transcendent luminosity of romantics such as the Hudson River School painters, whose amazing depictions of natural wonders became the face of manifest destiny and America’s expansion to the Pacific.  But my landscapes necessarily reflect contemporary interventions in the natural world, as seen by a contemporary eye.

University Unitarian Church has a distinguished history of art exhibits and support of art and ideas.  I am honored by this exhibition of new and recent work in their Chapel space.  Please join me for an opening reception Sunday, September 7th from 1 to 3 pm.

This work was made possible in part by a grant from Artist Trust.