Gladiolas & Mums

STW-029-GR

The meticulously rendered graphite drawings of artist Skip Steinworth are on exhibit at Hackett-Freedman Gallery, November 6 – November 29, 2003. This exhibition is accompanied by a full-color illustrated catalogue.

In his latest work, Steinworth continues to use the genre of still life to explore the relationships between light and space while developing a more austere approach though the use of dramatic lighting and stronger tonal contrasts.

According to Steinworth, his still lifes are meant to function much like landscapes. In Gladiolas & Mums (2003), Steinworth’s use of a monochromic palette and the rigorous limitation of the types of forms presented—white flowers and simple gray objects—coalesce the individual pieces into a single form that exists within the larger space depicted.

Steinworth’s explorations of how the surrounding space simultaneously diminishes and increases the importance of the objects, both individually and as a whole, generates a tension that is in delightful contrast to the calm black-and-white tones of the graphite and the luxurious texture of the paper.

Remarkably, Steinworth’s works maintain their delicate sensibility and evocative, subtle mood even though the artist literally hammers the paper with rock-hard graphite in order to render the rich array of gray tones.

Despite initial appearances, Skip Steinworth’s work is not photographic. Prior to setting up the still life, the artist creates a series of abstract thumbnail sketches in order to gauge the relationships between the objects and to establish an arabesque of movement and tonality. Once that exercise is complete, he sets up the still life. (Achieving balance is a critical issue for Steinworth; the artist may spend hours selecting objects and minutely adjusting their placements, sizes, and perspectives.)

However, as the drawing progresses, the objects, the light source, and the spatial relationships continue to be manipulated as light is redirected, depths are compressed, and the scale of the pieces is adjusted. In some cases, any reference to the actual still life ceases to exist. This manipulation is clearly visible in works such as Table Top with Plants & Flowers (2002) and White Flowers, Glassware & Eggs (2001).

Skip Steinworth received his MFA from St. Cloud University in Minnesota and has exhibited widely on both coasts. His work is represented in several important collections including The Richard and Jalane Davidson Collection, Chicago, IL and the Minneapolis Art Institute, Minneapolis, MN.

Steinworth is the recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship (2003 and 1999) and has been a semifinalist for the Minnesota College of Art and Design McKnight Fellowship (2001, 2000, and 1999). This is his second solo exhibition at Hackett-Freedman Gallery.

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