3 Photos
"Harbor Carnival," a work in progress by Ben Fenske.
"Moonlit Bonfire," a work in progress by Ben Fenske.
“Olive Grove” by Ben Fenske.
Every summer, since 2007, the Grenning Gallery has shown a solo show of work by Ben Fenske. But that is not the only tradition that was born.
Just before each opening, the artist always visits the East End to paint locally and, every year, he is attracted to something new. Last summer, it was Cedar Point — its big, bold clouds scattered above the bright, glistening shoreline, cemented on canvas with short, thick, urgent brushstrokes. He had to walk about a mile off the trail to get to this quiet destination, clearly compelled to capture the remote parts of bustling East Hampton.
This summer — ahead of his upcoming solo exhibition, opening with a reception on Saturday, August 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. — Mr. Fenske found himself drawn to events that integrate social scenarios, and while the Sag Harbor Carnival occurs annually at Havens Beach, this was the first year he felt inclined to paint it.
“‘Harbor Carnival’ places the viewer at the entrance of the fair,” according to a press release. “The eye goes directly to the color-illumined Ferris wheel against the night sky. Ticket booths and novelty games fill up the outer edges, as crowds of people flock to and fro.”
Another new painting, “Moonlit Bonfire Sketch” was painted en plein air at Peter’s Pond in Sagaponack. A blossoming Sturgeon moon illuminates the vast and immeasurable night sky, and Mr. Fenske uses his bright blues, greens, highlights of yellow and vigorous brushstrokes to capture his impression of this natural brilliance. Figures conjure around a bonfire on the black, backlit sand in the foreground.
In addition to painting for this show, Mr. Fenske will also be featured in the invitational group show “Corpo a Corpo” at the Annigoni Museum at Villa Bardini in Florence, Italy, opening October 25.
“Literally translated ‘Body to Body,’ this is a show focusing on the best figurative painting that is happening right now,” the release said. “With help from the director of the intermediate program at the Florence Academy of Art, Daniela Astone, this exhibition was curated by Carlo Sisi, a former director of the Gallery of Modern Art and the Costume Gallery of the Pitti Palace in Florence, and now a member of the Scientific Committee of the Centro Pecci per l’Arte Contemporanea in Prato, and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rovereto, Trento.”
The Sag Harbor show will remain on view through October 6 at Grenning Gallery’s new location, 26 Main Street. For more information, call 631-725-8469 or visit grenninggallery.com.
Staff Writer on Aug 19, 2019