Emily Gherard received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (2002) and her MFA from the University of Washington (2004).  Her first solo show at Francine Seders Gallery was in 2008 and her work has been included in Destruction at 4 Culture Gallery and Non-Non Referential Painting at Crawlspace Gallery (both 2006).  In 2009 Gherard received The Ora Lerman Charitable Trust Artist Residency, Laceyville, PA and in 2006 won a PONCHO Special Recognition Award and was a finalist for the Betty Bowen Award in 2006 and 2010.

December 2010

www.gherard.com

Artist’s Statement

 

My work explores the idea that painting and drawing have the ability to present inanimate objects in ways that allow the viewer to empathize with them. There is a quiet conflict in my paintings between the characters (rocks and walls) and their surroundings. The rocks huddle together for shelter. Their tenuous relationship both defines and is in conflict with the space around them.

This tension is reinforced by my painting process. I alternate between painting boldly and picking away at the surface, causing my paintings to contain strong, direct clarity underlined with wavering doubt. The color is often muted and limited, revealing a heavily worked surface of incised lines, thick paint and sanded, bare canvas. My paintings start off crowded and busy. Over time, I add and remove until what is left is clear, concise and specific to that painting.

 

Emily Gherard

August 2010

Please note the following six works are at the artists studio and not available for immediate view at the gallery.