The Space Between landscape show

  • By Liz Lidgett
  • •
  • 17 Nov, 2020

Since March of this year, my family and I have spent more time outside than ever. I have felt reconnected with the Midwestern landscape and all that it has to offer. Taking long drives to get out of our home safely, and exploring new spots where we can find wide open spaces has been a refuge to us.

I named the show “The Space Between” because the Midwest is so often thought of as flyover country but there is so much more to this area of the country. You’ll be able to see in these pieces by Jimmy Navarro, Karin Olah, Olivia Valentine and Mo Lashbrook the beauty that the Midwest has to offer.

James Navarro, Untitled (fire sun), Acrylic on canvas, 33 x 33 x 3 in, $1650 ($165/mo)
James Navarro, Untitled (fire sun), Acrylic on canvas, 33 x 33 x 3 in, $1650 ($165/mo)
Jimmy’s works are quite stunning. He has been working in a new color palette for this show and while you may recognize his work, I think you’ll be amazed at the fresh take to the traditional landscape. The pinks and oranges in his palette in particular are favorites of mine and I look forward to working amongst these works for the next several weeks.
Karin Olah, Valley Layers 2, Mixed media with textiles on wood, 8 x 8 x 1 in, $300
Karin Olah, Valley Layers 2, Mixed media with textiles on wood, 8 x 8 x 1 in, $300

Karin Olah’s works continue to amaze me. Karin works in a variety of sizes making it affordable to own one of her spectacular pieces. Her application of fabric to her paintings is so seamless and adds the perfect amount of texture. These are works you’ll want to spend time with. From far away, they look like a beautiful landscape and up close you’ll want to inspect her application and process. I find myself wanting to get closer and closer with each of her works to not miss a detail.

Olivia Valentine, Field Edging #15 (Viking Lake), (1/3) Photograph and thread on archival board, 8 x 10 in, $400
Olivia Valentine, Field Edging #15 (Viking Lake), (1/3) Photograph and thread on archival board, 8 x 10 in, $400
Olivia Valentine’s works offer a perfect compliment to the larger landscape paintings that we have to offer in this show. Olivia works in mixed media, pairing photography with embroidery. A majority of the pieces included in the show are from her “Field Edgings” series, from Olivia’s site, "All of the works involve photographs of the landscape, taken at the edges of the day, combined with sewing thread and sewing 'findings' such as clasps, snaps, and pins. These small-scale constructions pursue ideas about boundaries and edges in the landscape and create relationships to the edges found in textiles, clothing, and garments, creating a scale shift that relates the edges of the body to the edges we make and perceive in the land.” These photographs specifically are from 20 Artists, 20 Parks, a project that came together to celebrate the centennial of the Iowa State Parks in 2020.
Mo Lashbrook, Botanical Arrangement III, Mixed Media, 24 x 24 x 1 in, $800
Mo Lashbrook, Botanical Arrangement III, Mixed Media, 24 x 24 x 1 in, $800

Finally, we have three works from artist Mo Lashbrook. Her circular, glossed floral paintings are truly beautiful. Depicting midwestern wildflowers with vibrant and deep colors that feel both moody and joyful.

Although things at the gallery look a bit different currently, we are still sharing these works with the public both online through our social channels and by appointment. The pre-sale list is sent out this Thursday morning, so let us know if you'd like to be added for first dibs on the artwork! We are also open 12-3 Tuesday-Friday and will have extended holiday hours Wednesdays 4-8pm and Sundays 11am-3pm along with the rest of the East Village.

Liz Lidgett, author

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