Inside Rutenberg's studio

The College of Charleston’s School of the Arts is proud to announce that the Gibbes Museum of Art will host an exhibition of works by Studio Art alumnus Brian Rutenberg. It will showcase recent paintings and works on paper by the South Carolina native and nationally-recognized artist. Inspired by the landscape and waterways of his home state, Rutenberg’s work combines brilliant color with expressive brushwork to create visually stunning abstract paintings.

A lecture and book signing by Brian Rutenberg will take place on Wednesday, October 21 at 6 pm. It is free for Gibbes Museum members, $10 for non-members. The exhibition will take place October 23, 2009 – January 10, 2010. The Gibbes Museum is located at 135 Meeting Street, Downtown Charleston.

Rutenberg received his BFA from the College of Charleston in 1987, and his MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1989. He is a Fulbright Scholar, a New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Fellow, a Marie Walsh Sharpe Grant recipient, a Basil Alkazzi Award recipient, an Irish Museum of Modern Art Work Programme recipient and has been honored with numerous other awards.

Published by Radius Books, the monograph of Rutenberg’s work includes some 85 color plates, discussions of the artist’s work and explanations from Rutenberg, himself. Essayist Martica Sawin has written an insightful essay that delves into the major influences and inspirations in the artist’s life. She also explains the importance of Rutenberg’s annual trips to Toronto and his connection to the late Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould. Through this writer’s eyes, we are better able to grasp the evolution of Rutenberg’s work. The 164-page book includes a forward by fellow artist and former president of the National Academy of Design, Gregory Amenoff. American abstract painter, Walter Darby Bannard, wrote the introduction to the book.

http://www.brianrutenbergart.com

http://www.gibbesmuseum.org/explore/upcom_exhibit2.php?id=70