"PHYLLIS CHILLINGWORTH: Of Joy…an experience in the land of Zihuatanejo" Opens at Atlantic Gallery
Show runs: June 5 - June 23, 2018
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 7th, 5 to 8 pm.
Closing Reception: Thursday, June 21st, 5 to 8 pm.
Atlantic Gallery, 548 West 28th Street, Suite 540, New York, NY www.atlanticgallery.org
For Information, call Martha Jasopersaud at 212-219-3183 or email [email protected]
Atlantic Gallery is pleased to present "Of Joy…an experience in the land of Zihuatanejo," a solo exhibition of new paintings by Phyllis Chillingworth. The paintings were created following her magical and memorable encounter in the land of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. This experience inspired a group of paintings, oil and watercolor, filled with bold colors and the startling light of the region.
The works in the show represent a new direction for the artist. The pictorial language shifted dramatically in these paintings from her last show; the emphasis is less on brushstrokes and more on “color as expression.”
“The powerful paintings in the show do not represent a singular expression but are an extension of my continued enthusiasm and keen observation of a different part of the world than the one I live in,” said Phyllis. "I have a craving for the exotic."
Invitation to Zihuantanejo
"An invitation to join friends and fellow painters in Zihuantanejo, fueled both my senses and my brushes,” she said. “While looking out on the volcano-formed, croissant-shaped bay, I felt transformed by the exotic surroundings. Everywhere, bold colors, strong patterns, brilliant light and a vibrant culture jumped alive! Sensations expanded. Taking this in as a whole, enabled me to be startled, to reach for the unexpected, toward exuberance."
The Story Behind the Art
“There is a story behind each painting, a journey or a moment, like richly detailed headnotes, these stories gave me context and inspiration," Phyllis said. "Feeling a connection is essential.”
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"Gracias a La Vida" by Phyllis Chillingworth, 2018. Oil on linen, 36 x 36 inches.
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“One of my paintings, titled Gracias a La Vida (thanks to life) pays homage to Violeta Parra, Chilean poet who wrote this moving anthem," Phyllis continued. "The passion of her music had a powerful effect on my painting. Gratitude and joy soared."
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"On the Road" by Phyllis Chillingworth, 2018. Oil on linen, 24 x 32 inches.
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“While looking at these very small, wood figurines, their personalities emerged. I wanted to paint them much larger and as if going on a journey," she added. "The pattern of the fabric added context and visual excitement.”
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"Of Joy" by Phyllis Chillingworth, 2018. Oil on linen, 21 x 27 inches.
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“I was quite taken by the Otomi embroideries which have ancient roots, dating back before the rise of the Aztec empire," Phyllis explained. "These shapes of flowers and animals can still be seen in prehistoric caves. I found them both whimsical and modern and wanting to be transformed on to the canvas.”
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"Rooster & Rose" by Phyllis Chillingworth, 2018. Oil on linen, 36 x 36 inches.
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“Looking at an object…it is more than an object: It is how you feel about it, like bringing an object to life," she said. "The surprising juxtaposition of a handcrafted rooster and a woven rose stimulated my imagination. I began to see a romance between a rooster and a rose."
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"Table For Two" by Phyllis Chillingworth, 2018. Oil on linen, 24 x 32 inches.
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“Waiting for the sun to set, sitting on the beach at Playa la Ropa, time was suspended," she said. "This painting is a snapshot or a kind of ‘icon to a moment.’ I wanted to capture this lovely experience and to have it live on.”
Location & Interior Moments
“It is true that a new place provides me with stimulation and a ‘spark’, but the source of my art doesn’t reside in the site itself," she said. "It is also an interior necessity, regardless of place. These moments become transposed through a connection I feel and a need to paint my own interpretation.”
“I have always been searching, working to invent and to produce new work that meets my agenda, not someone else. In Zihuatanejo I found beauty, inspiration, magic and enchantment. I welcome viewers to use their own imaginations and to find their own responses. I am reminded of a quote by the Mexican architect, Luis Barragan: “A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.”
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About Phyllis Chillingworth
Phyllis Chillingworth lives in New York City and Montauk, N.Y. She earned a B.S. from the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and a B.F.A/M.F.A from the Yale School of Art and Architecture. Phyllis has studied painting with Ophrah Shemesh in NYC and at Visual Arts Italy, Gaeta, Italy. Formerly she was President/Creative Director of Chillingworth/Radding, design and advertising, NYC. Currently Phyllis is Vice Chair of HousingPlus, a nonprofit in the city. www.housingplussolutions.org
Visit www.phyllischillingworth.com to learn more about the artist.
About "Of Joy"
"PHYLLIS CHILLINGWORTH: Of Joy…an experience in the land of Zihuatanejo" is on view at Atlantic Gallery from June 5 to 23, 2018. An Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018 from 5 to 8 pm. A Closing Reception will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 5 to 8 pm.
Atlantic Gallery is located at 548 West 28th Street, Suite 540, NY, NY 10001. www.atlanticgallery.org. For further information please contact the gallery at www.atlanticgallery.org or at 212-219-3183.
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