"Syncopation" at William Ris Gallery on the North Fork launched with extra piazza in the form of a live jazz performance with exhibiting artist Robin D. Williams creating one of her contour drawings inspired by the musicians performance. The combination of live music added an extra layer of fun and insight into the art exhibited by Williams and Michael Ingui as both artists are inspired by the rhythms of jazz and other types of music.
"Syncopation" opened on August 18 and continues on view through September 9, 2018 at William Ris Gallery in Jamesport, NY. As the title implies, there is a deep connection to and inspiration of music with the artwork which gallery owner, Mary Cantone, curated to best highlight and compliment each artist.
“I wanted to draw attention to how music and the visual arts have always been intertwined and inspired by each other,” Cantone said. “Most artists have a backdrop of music while they work, whether it’s classical, rock, electronica, or whatever moves them.”
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Gallery owner Mary Cantone with artists Michael Ingui & Robin D. Williams. Courtesy of William Ris Gallery.
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The artist's syncopated approach technically also links the pair of artists together, Cantone said. Ingui, who is also an architect and partner at the New York based sustainable architectural design firm Baxt Ingui Architects PC, paints primarily with enamel, oils and an acrylic mix with a pouring medium.
Williams, who is based in South Florida, uses the blind contour method, drawing the contours of her subject without ever looking down at the paper or lifting the pen. The fluidity of motion and vibrant energy, much like the melody, rhythm and energy of music, is apparent in both artists’ works.
"Blue Dreams" by Robin D Williams. Courtesy of William Ris Gallery.
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Work by Michael Ingui. Courtesy of William Ris Gallery.
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Ingui and Williams both share a passion for jazz. This connection was celebrated with the performance of jazz standards by multiple Grammy award-winning producer and musician Gil Goldstein and jazz singer Olivia Foschi. While they performed Williams set up shop a short distance away and made several blind contour drawings of the pair or of the individual musicians.
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Performance by multiple Grammy award-winning producer and musician Gil Goldstein and jazz singer Olivia Foschi. Photo by Pat Rogers.
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Artist Robin D. Williams creating. a blind contour drawing during the performance held at the William Ris Gallery. Photo by Pat Rogers.
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In the exhibition, the art was curated by Cantone to illustrate the expressive connection and lyrical lines achieved by both artists. Installing the art in concert with each other to show the visual connection between William's mixed media drawings and Ingui's paintings, art by each artist was installed in intimate groupings so the lyrical power manifested by each artist could be fully realized and felt by viewers.
Continue scrolling to see scenes from the Opening Reception of ""Syncopation" and some of the people who made the opening a special one.
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The crowd at the Opening Reception of "Syncopation" at William Ris Gallery. Courtesy William Ris Gallery.
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Ellen Goldman and Keith Mantell. Courtesy William Ris Gallery.
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Robin D Williams and Marilyn Weiss. Courtesy William Ris Gallery.
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Brooke Cantone with artist Valerie Zeman. Courtesy William Ris Gallery.
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Artist Robin D Williams creates a blind contour drawing of the performance during the Opening Reception of “Syncopation” at William Ris Gallery. Courtesy William Ris Gallery.
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To see a video of Robin D. Williams's creating a blind couture drawing at the Opening, click here.
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BASIC FACTS: "Syncopation" is on view from August 18 through September 9, 2018. William Ris Gallery is located at 1291 Main Road, Jamesport, NY 11947. www.williamris.com.
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