Kymara Gallery News: March 2011

Susan Bottomly (International Velvet)
Photo: Christopher M. Lynch

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A most unusual yet fascinating exhibit is currently occupying the walls of The Kymara Gallery at the North Dam Mill in Biddeford.

Gallery owner and artist Kymara Lonergan of Kennebunkport, whose experience and acquaintance in the art world is obviously extensive, has mounted the works of three artists who were associated with the famous pop artist Andy Warhol — Ultra Violet, Billy Name, and Bibbe Hansen. Also on display are Christopher Lynch's photos of the interior of Warhol's factory and of some of its regulars.

Super Novas — A Modern SurveyWHERE: The Kymara Gallery, North Dam Mill, Suite 220, 2 Main St., Biddeford

WHERE: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; Sunday by appointment

FMI: 967-5773

In the hallway outside the Kymara Gallery, photos and lithographs by Pamela Tachibana are exhibited apart from the Warhol-related theme.

Ultra Violet, 72, was born in France (as Isabelle Collin Dufresne) and has an illustrious history: she was a pupil and studio assistant of Salvador Dali in the '50s. In the next decade, in New York and in France, she knew all the renowned masters. She began her association with Warhol in film projects, and the creation of the factory. She also wrote a play, a musical comedy, the memoir "Famous For Fifteen Minutes," and ran workshops, organized installations and performance arts, published manifestos and created a series of art objects in glass.

In the current show, about 20 of Ultra Violet's works are shown: eight oil paintings of clouds — together they constitute a veritable panorama of the sky — several pen-and-ink drawings of nude men and women, titled as "angels" in various contexts.

Traditional depictions of angels are also in the show, but in unusual contexts: "Apocalyptic Angel" shows a winged, robed figure seemingly guiding a Marine jet plane; "Flying Angel on Silver Board" is multi-media, with gold paint on fabric, mounted on a silver-painted board; and "Nuclear Angels." Paradox and subtle visual double-meanings abound in these paintings.

"Ultra Violet lives in Manhattan, has a studio in Chelsea; she has a very clean, organic lifestyle," said Kymara Lonergan. "Playfully and intuitively, she uses time and talent to create works that are infused with energy, light, spirituality, global meaning and humor."

Lonergan has an especially good reason for affirming Ultra Violet's qualities; her own daughter, Amanda Curtis, is Ultra Violet's apprentice.

Another artist's interpretation — or playful variation — of Ultra Violet is the large photo by Christopher Lynch, which shows the woman as a dramatically, eerily-posed figure in a robe, with swirls of glassy patterns around her body. The picture is very sculptural, shiny effects produced by the use of Mylar. Ultra Violet looks out with an expression of mystery, as if she is trying to communicate something to us. Her hair is purple.

The photos by Billy Name are the result of his being chosen by Warhol to be the "Factory Fotographer"; "He had a manner that inspired confidence: He gave the impression of being generally creative, dabbled in lights and papers and artists' materials," wrote Warhol in his diaries.

Another observer, D. Miller, who published "Billy Name: Stills From the Warhol Films," wrote: "(he) focused his keen eye on the scene at the factory, created by a core group of participants who largely improvised before the camera's eye, evolving a lively cutting-edge mise-en-scene. Billy's understanding of theater and lighting was important itself ...; to the essential look of the transformed space and silvered walls of the factory. ... His photographs have a particular immediacy, intimacy, and knowledge."

Bibbe Hansen's work is exquisite; she works in cloth, pigment, thread, paper. "Virgin" is the well-known depiction of the blessed virgin Mary, with the materials artfully combined to make a multi-media masterpiece.

A charming picture of Bibbe Hansen, age 14, is in the Billy Name section of the show. The picture shows Bibbe posing with Edie Sedgwick, who was an intimate associate of Warhol's back in the '60s.

Pamela Tachibana of Kennebunk photographs dead and dying things: foliage, limbs of trees, dried husks of flowers, which she claims still possess "beauty after the listlessness has set in, beauty that tells a story past and present."

And Tachibana likes to take pictures of well-crafted implements, like scissors, whisk broom, trowel, thimble.

Christopher Lynch is from Ellsworth. At an early age, he wanted to create visual stories through drawing, but he soon developed an interest in photography. A reporter once asked him, "Why?" Lynch responded, "Drawing just took me too long."

"Having him in the gallery is a prize; he's very professional," said Lonergan. "It was a real job getting his work in here."

The current show is a brief departure from her goal to show work by local people with the newest, most original trends of style and design — people who are up and coming, who will certainly blossom into professionals.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

'Super Novas' a stellar exhibit The Kymara Gallery hosts Andy Warhol-related show

FACTORY and FRIENDS!

Christmas at VICTORIA MANSION