Adam Oehlers “The Fen Land Guide”
Mini Solo Show
October 29th – November 27th, 2016
Opening Reception,Saturday, October 29th, 2016, 6-8pm
Northport, NY– Haven Gallery is pleased to present “The Fen Land Guide” a mini solo exhibition of new work by UK based artist Adam Oehlers. “The Fen Land Guide” is compromised of five ink and watercolor paintings that provide a glimpse into the microcosm of the ever whimsy and innovative youthful mind. Hints of dark humor coupled with charming narratives beckon the child within us from the perspective of the adults we are today. Oehlers’s work serves as a nostalgic journey back in time to our childhood in which we found magic and curiosity amidst all living things.
The world depicted in “The Fem Land Guide” is based off of the point of view of a young girl whose imagination and innocence create whimsical tales of friendship and adventure. Her small size contrasts her Brogdingnagian realm as she wanders through meadows of massive daffodils, reclines amidst piles of larger than life books and experiences unexpected encounters with autumnal fairies and saddled animals. These frozen moments are wistfully reminiscent of distant memories of their adult viewers while in an ongoing narrative are captured through Oehlers’s signature rustic palette delicately balancing soft autumnal tones amidst a stark black background.
“The Fen Land Guide” as well as much of Oehlers’s work represents a dualistic notion present in worldviews of those present in childhood and adulthood. As children and adults, we are reminded of our miniature size and perspective as it is respective to our understanding of the gargantuan and complex world around us. Our young minds embrace the mystery of existence beyond the neighborhood with a limited and therefore more imaginative perspective while our older minds with tenets of logic and greater comprehension must constantly learn, adapt and accept the greater mystery of ourselves and the world at large.
ABOUT ADAM OEHLERS
Adam Oehlers was born in Coventry, England and now lives and works out of the UK. Oehlers is an Award winning illustrator and well known artist whose illustrations grace many publications, such as his version of the classic text ‘The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner’, “Cinderella Jump Rope Rhymes” and his ghost story graphic novel “Dear Little Emmie”. He is currently working on his next book ‘The Mushroom Garden’ which he has authored himself and is due to be released in 2017. As well as his publications and exhibitions he has turned his hand towards animation, he has worked as concept artist for the Award winning Music Video for Steven Wilsons ‘Routine’ and has 2 more music videos being released this year. His inspirations include well known illustrators such as Arthur Rackam, Gustave Doré, Edward Gorey, Tony Wolf, John Vernon Lord and Shaun Tan and he finds endless inspiration from the Music of Tom Waits, a constant backdrop to his studio.
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An opening reception will be held on Saturday, October 29th, 2016 from 6 – 8pm at Haven Gallery.
Haven Gallery is located at 155 Main St., The Carriage House Square, Suite 4, in Northport, NY 11768
For additional information and images, please contact Erica Berkowitz at [email protected] or (631) 757-0500
