Castell Photography

Opening NEXT FRIDAY evening: Vignettes

JOIN US on Friday, June 1st, from 6-8 PM, for a very special opening reception event, Vignettes, featuring works from DAN ESTABROOK, SHARON HART, & STACEY PAGE.

All 3 artists will be in attendance, specialty cocktails will be served, and there will be a DJ to celebrate the evening. Additionally, Dan Estabrook will also be giving an informal artist talk at the gallery on Saturday, June 2nd, at 4p.m.


Read the full press release below:

Castell Photography is pleased to announce the opening of their newest exhibition,Vignettes, featuring photo-based works from artists Dan Estabrook, Sharon Hart, and Stacey Page on Friday, June 1st, from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Dan Estabrook will also be giving an informal artist talk at the gallery on Saturday, June 2nd, at 4p.m.

Dan Estabrook has been making contemporary art using a variety of 19th century photographic techniques for the past 20 years, most recently focusing on the earliest paper photographs - calotype negatives and salted paper prints - as sources for hand manipulation with paint and pencil. Estabrook, a modern master, has been exhibited widely and is represented by the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago, Daniel Cooney Fine Art in New York, and Jackson Fine Art in Atlanta. Estabrook attended Harvard University, received his MFA from the University of Illinois and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Works exhibited will include Estabrook’s 9 Symptoms series in it’s entirety, as well a selection of work from his At Sea series. In Nine Symptoms, Estabrook tackles the emotions he has experienced falling in love, evoking old medical photographs to directly confront the passion, obsession, apprehension and excitement brought on by love, as well as its loss. The artist eloquently states “Using and emulating nineteenth-century printing techniques, and making visible the very physical materials of which photographs are made, I attempt to have seemingly anonymous photographs become highly personal objects. In these images a single repeated shape, a formation of fowers, or the patterns of dust and decay are almost legible texts, inscribed on the skin of paper, tin, and glass.”

Stacey Page, an artist currently living and working in Athens, Georgia, creates unique and charming one of a kind works using found photographs. Pageadds embroidery to the discarded portraits, creating cunning narratives. The artist states, “The original photograph desires a specifc response. There are reoccurring hintsof crowns, masks, mutations or developments. Themes and imagery based on status, avatar, identity, fashion, evolution, with the relationships and conficts of humankind.” When asked whether she was trying to add or hide something in the images, she simply said ”It is a resurrection, perhaps allowing a little fame to a discarded identity.” Page’s workhas be included in multiple exhibitions in both the US and abroad, and she was chosen by Ariel Shanberg, executive director of the renowned Center for Photography at Woodstock, as the juror’s choice award winner at Castell Photography’s annual juried exhibition in the fall of 2011. 

Sharon Hart, a native of Washington DC, is a professor and working artist living in Kentucky. Hart earned her MFA from the University of North at Chapel Hill and her BFA from Maine College of Art. Works featured in this exhibition will include a selection of work from the artists’ mixed media series entitled Reveal, in which all work have been manipulated through the use of photomontage, the darkroom, as well as digital processes. Lastly, the pieces are reworked with traditional materials such as charcoal and paint in order to bring about a more complex, layered depth both formally and conceptually. The artist states “This evolving body of work questions male and female cultural identities, interactions between humans and other animals, surveillance, mass media representations, and linguistic habits. I utilize often dark and occasionally humorous imagery that provokes a confrontation with critical social and political issues…The velvety, deep black that veils the pieces enhances and obscures. It also covers and conceals, just as the content of the work brings up issues that are often uncomfortable, sugar coated, or accepted as the status quo.”

Gallery Director Heidi Gruner states: “We are thrilled to exhibit this unique group of works from these three exceptionally talented artists. It’s intriguing to see such a varied selection of imagery, tied together by the artists’ use of subtle yet unforced narration, and by the use of physical manipulation by each artists’ hand . All three have given us, the viewer, just enough information to get lost in these works, enough story to entice intrigue, just enough narrative to fnd ourselves somehow attached to these characters portrayed.” 

The opening reception for Vignettes will be held on Friday, June 1st from 6p.m. to 8p.m, and will coincide with the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association’s June art walk. All three artists will be in attendance to meet guest, answer any questions, and enjoy the event. Specialty cocktails will be served, and there will be a live DJ to celebrate the evening. The show will remain on exhibit through June 30th.

Estabrook’s informal artist talk, held at 4pm on the 2nd, is open to the public, artists, collectors, and enthusiasts, and all others are encouraged to attend!

Leave Note / Reblog
Vignettes Asheville Downtown Gallery Association asheville fine art gallery Asheville Downtown Art Walk Castell Photography Gallery Dan Estabrook Sharon Hart Stacey Page contemporary photography gallery

Coming in June: Vignettes

We are thrilled to announce our next exhibition, Vignettes, featuring works from Dan Estabrook, Sharon Hart, & Stacey Page. Though these three artists are each quite different, all three are creating unique works which have been manipulated by the artists physical hand. This is an exciting exhibition that we are elated to share with you!

The opening reception will be held on Friday, June 1st, from 6-8 PM. All artists will be in attendance, and the reception will feature specialty cocktails as well as a DJ to celebrate the evening! We will also host an informal artist talk with Dan Estabrook the following afternoon at 4PM. 

Stay tuned for additional details about the artists, the exhibited works, and the opening reception next week!

1 note
Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography Gallery asheville fine art gallery Contemporary Photography Gallery Vignettes Dan Estabrook Stacey Page Sharon Hart Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Asheville Downtown art walk

Representing works by: Annie Hogan

We first exhibited Annie Hogan’s captivating works in the summer of 2011, and were thrilled to begin representing her works this winter. Her Double Vision series is quite breathtaking in person, all works from this series are available in 2 sizes: the larger size, measuring 62” x 52” (framed), are priced at $5,600 framed, and $3,800 print only (these works are in an edition of 5). Works are also available in a smaller size: 25” x 20” (unframed), and are priced at $1,200 (edition of 7). All works can be seen on our web site under the “Representing” portfolio, take a look! We’re also always to happy to set up a private viewing of these works, they really must be seen up close! Please contact the gallery for additional sales information.  

Enjoy a selection from Hogan’s artists statement + images below…

The Double Vision series investigates slavery’s legacy of injustice and inequity. One’s race and bloodline were important markers for the continuation and perpetration of this system of imbalance oft called in the North that ‘Peculiar Institution’. As an outsider to the US, I question what lies beneath the grandeur and elegance of the plantation house, which is a powerful architectural and social symbol in the South. 

Leave Note / Reblog
Annie Hogan Castell Photography Gallery asheville fine art gallery Contemporary Photography gallery Double Vision

Representing works by: Julie Sims

We were instantly taken with Julie Sims striking works when we first saw them at a show in Atlanta about a year and a half ago. Since then, we have exhibited Sims Uncharted Territory series, and we now represent these vivid, personal, works. Each chromogenic print is quite captivating in person, they almost glow (we’ve even had many clients ask if they if they were back lit…)! Works measure 20” x 20” and are priced at $800. Please contact the gallery for additional sales information.  

Enjoy a selection from her artists statement + images below. All of Sims work can be seen on our web site under the “Representing” portfolio, take a look…

One in four adults will suffer from depression or other psychological disorders in their lifetime, yet these illnesses remain among our most misunderstood health issues. I have struggled with anxiety and depression, and am aware of how they have at times limited my accomplishments— not because I lack skills or talent, but because I am rendered unable to use the tools at my disposal. It is frustrating to be essentially crippled by your own brain, and it’s difficult not to subscribe to the common misconception that I should be able to control this by sheer willpower or more positive thinking, and not to feel like a failure when I am unable to do so.

In Uncharted Territory I draw a parallel between these events and the experience of a natural disaster, when the environment becomes inhospitable beyond our control. The devastation of a home disrupts our ability to carry on with life as usual, and replaces an assumed security with the helpless feeling of being controlled by unseen forces. Our psychological environment is similarly subject to fault lines and erosive conditions. The constructed settings of the images reference both the natural world, and the anatomical structures and chemical pathways of the brain. This metaphor provides a different context in which to consider mental health issues, and reminds us that systems of the mind and body are as interdependent as we are with the environment in which we live.

2 notes
Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography Castell Photography Gallery Fine Art Photography Gallery Julie Sims asheville fine art gallery Uncharted Territory

Representing works by: Timothy Pakron

We are thrilled to enter of 2012 year with some new represented artists to share. Timothy Pakron was the director’s choice award winner for our most recent juried exhibition, Manipulated, juried by Ariel Shanberg. When the show closed we just couldn’t let the works go, and decided that we would represent these stunning hand altered works. Since, Timothy has sent us a selection of stunning, unique, hand altered works that must be seen. All works are 1 of a kind, and are priced at $1,100. Please contact the gallery for additional sales information, or if you would like to set up a viewing. 

The artist states:

“I have always been fascinated by portraiture. To me, a successful portrait has a presence. It has weight. The portrait evokes the emotional presence of the subject as well as the viewer. In my exploration, the defining goal is to create a portrait that becomes an experience to view. By using the familiarity of the face as the template, my process involves hand painting the developer in the darkroom, intentionally revealing specific, desired aspects of the face in the negative. Doing so creates a stark negative space that gives the portrait a lucidity. Instead of creating a realistic, straight from film portrait, I am more interested in exploring how the original image can be brought to the surface in alternative ways. The portraits embody their own unique strangeness. I enable the viewer to process impressions of a face, and of the shape of a head. I am comfortable with the viewer ultimately feeling uncomfortable. My job as an artist is to challenge the viewer. Make the viewer see differently, think differently, and most importantly, feel differently.

Additional images can be seen on our web site under the “Representing” portfolio. Pakron was recently featured online on the German blog ignant, as well as on Juxtapoz Magazine. Additionally, he will be a part of a group exhibition in July, stay tuned for more details and keep coming back for features coming soon on additional represented artists and works!

1 note
Leave Note / Reblog
asheville fine art gallery Castell Photography Castell Photography Gallery Timothy Pakron

From the Artist: Justine Reyes

We are pleased to exhibit the work of Justine Reyes in our current exhibition, Spring Salon. Reyes lives and works in New York, and her work has been included in numerous exhibitions in galleries including Klompching Gallery in Brooklyn, Higher Pictures in New York, and The Center for Fine Art Photography in Woodstock, New York. We came across her work awhile back and are now thrilled to include a selection of 15 images from her stunning narrative series, Vanitas. 

Her work will hang at the gallery through May 26th, these works must be seen in person, they are simply stunning! Enjoy her artists statement + some images of her gorgeous works…

                                         Still Life with Cup & Melon, Justine Reyes

Taking inspiration from Dutch Vanitas paintings, these photographs incorporate personal artifacts within the traditional construct of still life. Pairing objects that belonged to my grandmother with my own possessions speaks to the concept of memory, familial legacy and the passage of time.

                                            Still Life with Suitcase, Justine Reyes

The incorporation of modern elements such as the Saran wrap, plastic, sugar packages etc, as well as the use of photography itself add an additional layer of nostalgia and irony when viewed within the historical framework of Vanitas painting.

                                                Still Life with Pumpkin, Justine Reyes

Both the decomposition of the natural (rotting fruit and wilting flowers) and the break down of the man-made objects, reference the physical body, life’s impermanence and the inevitability of death. My work examines identity, mortality and the longing to hold on to things that are ephemeral and transitory in nature. 

All works measure 20” x 24” and are priced at $1,200, unframed. Please contact the gallery for sales inquiries. Spring Salon will hang at the gallery through May 26th, and the exhibition can be seen in it’s entirety on our web site under the exhibition portfolio.

Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography Castell Photography Gallery asheville fine art gallery Justine Reyes Spring Salon

From the Artist: Roger Ricco

Endless thanks to everyone who joined us last weekend for our first reception of the year! It was also Asheville Downtown Gallery Association’s first bi-monthly art walk of 2012, and we were thrilled to celebrate with you, re open our doors, and open this very exciting exhibit. Spring Salon features the work of Roger Ricco and Justine Reyes, both artists living and working out of New York. The exhibition can be seen in it’s entirety on our web site, and the show will hang through May 26th. 

We were fortunate enough to host one of the artists, Roger Ricco. Ricco is an accomplished photographer, painter, and gallery owner. The gallery, co owned with Frank Maresca, is called Ricco Maresca and is located in New York’s Chelsea gallery district. Ricco Maresca features new and classic works by outsider/self-taught and contemporary artists. 

We hosted an artists talk with Ricco last Saturday and attendees were able to view the exhibition alongside the artist, hear about his inspiration and working process, and ask any questions. It was quite a lovely afternoon! Please enjoy a taste of his artist statement + a few of his works…

For the past ten years I have been working on several series of photographs that take place in table top sets .

These various sets are essentially the backgrounds for what takes place within. For example, the series named “Winterworks” is shot in a set made of thick, frosted glass. This set allows me to light the subjects not only from in front but to cause a variety of light sources to play through the translucent set itself and thus electric light, strobe as well as day light create the effects that I desire in each image.

The work seen here for the first time at the Castell Gallery is certainly among the most ephemeral of my photo work.

All of the photographs in this exhibition are also created within table top sets and light it self is the subject: a match being lit. a thin wire reflecting light , or a turquoise light illuminating the set.

Other piece are simply quiet contemplations of a small object: a black cube in space, a ink stained piece of folded paper.

It has often been said that my photographic work is very “painterly”. I would agree with this as I have been a painter as well though out my career and the paintings and the photographs have much in common both in subject matter and in my concern with seeing the simple object and transforming it. Thus any thing from a stick to a streak of light are my subjects. My task is to make them visible anew.

Again, all of the images from Spring Salon can be viewed on our web site under the Current Exhibition portfolio. Ricco’s works are priced at $2,800, framed, $2,400, print only — please contact the gallery for additional sales information or if the works are of interest. Stay tuned for a post featuring Spring Salon artist Justine Reyes next week!

Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography asheville fine art gallery Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Roger Ricco Spring Salon Ricco Maresca Fine Art Photography Gallery

Coming this Spring…

We are thrilled to announce our first exhibition of the 2012 show season,Spring Salon, featuring photo-based works from artists Roger Ricco and Justine Reyes on Friday, April 6th from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Roger Ricco will also be giving an informal artist talk on his working methods on Saturday, April 7th at 12p.m.

Roger Ricco is co-owner of Ricco/Maresca gallery in New york City’s Chelsea gallery district. For more than 30 years, Ricco/Maresca has been one of the nation’s most prominent galleries for Self-Taught and Outsider Art. Along with his business partner, he has also co-authored numerous books and monographs on the subject of self-taught art, and often teaches and speaks across the country on the subject. Ricco studied fine art at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and won the prestigious Rome Prize in painting. Ricco presents photographs which are heavily influenced by his background in painting, and are an ephemeral selection from several bodies. All photographs are created within the confines of a tabletop set, involving simple, often mundane objects, but Ricco’s use of light itself becomes the subject. The artist states: “I have been a painter throughout my career, and the paintings and the photographs have much in common both in subject matter and in my concern with seeing the simple object and transforming it. Thus any thing from a stick to a streak of light are my subjects. My task is to make them visible anew.”

Justine Reyes lives and works in New York City, and she received her MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2004. Reyes has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, including Proyecto Circo at the 8th Havana Bienniel, Cuba, Contemporary Instanbul, Turkey, and the Humble Arts Foundation’s 31 Women in Art Photography 2010. She was an artist in residence at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, and a Visiting Scholar at New York University. Reyes will be exhibiting her series of photographs, Vanitas, taking inspiration from Dutch Vanitas paintings. These images incorporate personal artifacts within the traditional construct of still life. Reyes pairs objects which belonged to her grandmother with her possessions, speaking to the concept of memory, familial legacy, and the passage of time. Incorporating modern elements, such as plastic wrap and sugar, as well as the use of photography itself, add an additional layer of nostalgia and irony when viewed within the historical framework of Vanitas painting. Reyes states that these still life images, “Reference the physical body, life’s impermanence, and the inevitability of death.”

“We are thrilled to be exhibiting these two fine artists, and are stimulated by the way in which these works are in many ways different, yet so very similar. At the most basic level, both Ricco’s and Reyes’ works are staged on such simple tabletops, using simple, everyday objects. Ultimately, however, both artists’s works are deeply informed by painting and the passage of time. These illuminating still life images from Ricco and Reyes are ones to be gazed at and pondered for some time.”

The opening reception for Spring Salon will be held on Friday, April 6th from 6p.m. to 8p.m, and will coincide with the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association’s first art walk of the year. Specialty cocktails will be served, and there will be a live DJ to celebrate the evening. The show will remain on exhibit through May 26th.

Stay tuned for additional details in the coming weeks…we look forward to seeing you all soon after a long and productive winter break!

Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography asheville fine art gallery roger ricco Justine Reyes Spring Salon Asheville Downtown Gallery Association

Looking toward spring…

We’ve had a lovely studio visit this week with Roger Ricco in adorable Woodstock, New York. It was such a thrill to see the work in person, and to make our final selections!

The weekend of this opening reception will be a packed one, and will also feature the Stunning works of Justine Reyes. The opening reception will be our first of the year and there will also be an artist talk during the weekend, more details to come on that in the coming weeks. We’re excited to host Ricco in Asheville this spring, we look forward to seeing you all again once our exciting 2012 show season begins!

Leave Note / Reblog
Castell Photography asheville fine art gallery Roger Ricco

Seeking Intern Extraordinaire…

Castell Photography, a fine art gallery which solely exhibits photo based works, is seeking a spring/summer intern. This position would be ideal for both photo/art majors, as well as those interested in our studying PR. Recent grads are also welcome to apply. 

The position will begin mid March, and will run through the summer. The intern will be expected to work both at the gallery as well as on their own time. Many projects will be ongoing throughout the course of the internship, and the intern will be responsible for maintaining progress and keeping the gallery staff posted of that progress. This is a great position for those wanting to learn more about the inner working of a gallery, or those who are interested in gallery work, and above all, are motivated and hard working. 


Internship will entail:

-Assisting in day to day operations
-Research, inventories, filing, etc.
-Gallery maintenance
-Assist in exhibit installation and de-installation
-Assistance during receptions & events
-Seeking out opportunities and exposure for our represented artists. 
-1 day of work per week (expect on show weeks, where additional work will be required), with a meeting at the begininning of each work day to discuss progress of work both while at the gallery and on your own time. 

While the day that the intern will work each week is flexible and can be set at the beginning of the internship, the intern is required to attend and assist at all opening receptions. There will be 4 opening receptions throughout the duration of the internship, and they will always be held on Friday evenings. 


Requirements:

-Motivation and a positive attitude
-Interest and knowledge of art and/or photography
-Neat appearance and personable
-Must be available for possible evening and/or Saturday work.
-Ability to work independently, both at the gallery and on your own time. 


Hours:

-6-10 Hours per week depending on gallery schedule


To Apply:

-Submit a resume & cover letter(SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) explaining your interest in the position and
qualifications to internship@castellphotography.com on or before Monday, March 5th.
-If you have been chosen for an interview you will be notified by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 7th. 
-PDF format is preferred, and all files MUST be named lastname_firstname (ex smith_katie)
-Interviews will be held the week of March 12th, with the position beginning the following week. 

Leave Note / Reblog