Art Preview

by Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund, Art Critic

On November 5, 2014, Artifact Gallery New York opens its definitive exhibition, Jacqueline Real’s solo show, which will explore the ongoing impact of the mid-career contemporary Swiss painter’s art.

Located at prime space area of Manhattan, Lower East Side, which continues to become more and more an important arts destination, Artifact Gallery is proud to present Jacqueline Real’s recent paintings. There are over a hundred galleries which currently populate the area, most of them feature contemporary art. This influx of art in the area continues to promote regional creativity and the exploration of thoughtful output. Often, the art galleries coincide their seasonal events, inviting visitors and artists to experience this thriving scene. In the neighborhood there are museums and cultural institutions, destinations such as the dynamic Tenement Museum, just a short walk away of Jacqueline Real’s solo exhibition.

Jacqueline Real is delighted, that the gallery manager Serge Gregorian is curating the solo show in New York. The artist lives in Ascona (Switzerland), a well known center for artists but is also inspired by the landscape, charm and unique quality of light on regular visits to St. Ives in Cornwall, the important center for modern art in England. She studied Fine Art and Painting in Zurich (Switzerland), attended the master class at the International School of Modern Art in Salzburg (Austria) and finally continued her studies in Meran (Italy).

In reviewing her artistic concept, the Swiss artist explains the meaning behind her works: ”I love to roam around the galleries in Lower East Side, Manhattan and there are so many art lovers who share their passion for art with me. My paintings are abstract compositions from nature or fragments of the subconscious", Jacqueline Real says, "to me painting means feeling intensely, living, expressing the unexpressible with color. It means listening to your innermost self, being quiet, being impulsive, marvelling, hoping - seeing the light and being overwhelmed. It is my intention to express the balance between form and colour, static and dynamic forces and at the same time - but with different shades of light show a strong spiritual presence.”

In September 2002 Jacqueline Real has been selected to publish her painting “Remembering” on the front cover of Risk Magazine which raised her profile in America. “Soon after visiting Ground Zero in December 2001, I was reflecting on the awful tragedy of what had happened” she says, “but even in that desolate atmosphere, there was a light rising in the darkness of my painting – the metaphor of hope. Therefore the solo exhibition at Artifact in November 2014 is not just a milestone in my life, but also the evidence that life, hope and truth cannot be destroyed, if we believe in it”.

Jacqueline Real recalls the experience: “We had booked our flight to New York in 2001, on the same day as this tragedy happened, but decided to go after all. The impression of the disaster was overwhelming and left a huge emotional shock. After our return, I had to express my feelings on canvas, to break free from my inner sadness. So I created the painting “Remembering”. One year later I received a call from Peter Field, the chairman and chief executive of Risk Waters Group, who publish a monthly financial magazine. He planned to publish a memorial edition to honor sixteen Risk Magazine staff members who died in the 9/11 attack.

It was a miracle that he survived because he had been waiting in his hotel for an e-mail before leaving late for a conference at the World Trade Center. For this memorial edition he approached four hundred artists to create the front cover. I was able to tell him that I had already painted the picture a year ago and was able to send him the photo. In due course I learnt that my picture had been selected. My joy was great! However, the picture was too powerful and emotional for the team in America to put on the front page as planned, so it was put on the third page of the magazine, together with the main story of the memorial edition. The reaction of many people who wrote to me and found comfort in the picture was very touching.”

Two years ago Jacqueline Real visited Ground Zero again and was overcome with the emotion and peace of this memorial. “It is very powerful”, she says, “and it is wonderful to see that what I was trying to express in my painting so many years ago has come overwhelmingly true: let’s see the light – and you can see the light”!

Reflecting the universe of time and space, Jacqueline Real’s work combines technical precision with passion and innovation. Her symbolism is manifested in the relationship between the outside world and the microcosm of inner feelings.

Now, her recent work will be showcased at Artifact Gallery NYC Manhattan, November 5-23, 2014.

LOCATION

ARTIFACT Gallery NYC
84 Orchard Street
btw Broome & Grand
Lower East Side Manhattan
New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone +1. 212.475.0448
info@artifactnyc.net
www.artifactnyc.net

Exhibition: November 5 - 23, 2014
Opening Reception: Wednesday, November 5: 6 - 8 PM
Gallery Open Hours: Wednesday - Sunday: 12 - 6 PM

CONTACT  ARTIST

Jacqueline Real
www.swissart.ch/real/index-e.html
E-Mail: j.realbutler@gmail.com

CONTACT  MUSEUM

9/11 Memorial Museum New York

www.9/11memorial.org

CONTACT  AUTHOR
Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund
Art Historian - Writer - Curator
Krokusweg 6a
22869 Hamburg-Schenefeld
Germany
Phone +49. 40. 840 503 55
Mobile +49. 179. 4605679
info@arthistoryconsulting.de
www.arthistoryconsulting.de

About the Author:

Dr. Barbara Aust-Wegemund, born in Zurich/ Switzerland, is an Art Historian and Managing Director at Art History Consulting (AHC). She studied Art History at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel (Germany), University for Foreigners Perugia (Italy) and London Guildhall University (UK).

In 2002 she earned her PhD from University of Kiel with a Dissertation on Modern Sculpture: “Sources of Inspiration.The Meaning of Nature in Henry Moore´s Late Work.” Barbara is an art historian and art critic who has written widely on modern and contemporary art. Her essays have been featured in monographs, exhibition catalogues, e-zines, journals and Goethe Institute Inc.