Syd Bee “Sunder & Swell”
May 13th – June 18th, 2017
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 13th, 2017, 6-8pm
*The artist will be in attendance
Northport, NY– Haven Gallery is honored to present “Sunder & Swell”, a solo exhibition of new original works by Seattle based artist Syd Bee. “Sunder & Swell” is Bee’s first solo show with the gallery and will include eight paintings and five drawings illustrating the artist’s signature style. “Sunder & Swell” is characterized by Bee’s quintessential saccharine palette predominantly comprised of pinks, purples and mints intermingled with feelings of solitude, anxiety, dread and uncertainty.
“I dream in warm, bright colors, which is where much of the imagery used is first uncovered. Although there is tenderness to be found within these vignettes, it is often bittersweet. I am drawn to (and embrace) things that are darker and somber, but I find freedom and excitement in marrying those moments with a vibrant palette. ”
These dense emotions are enforced through her acumen with color and composition; the weight of her palette plays a dominate force mirroring the heaviness associated with these darker sentiments as portrayed through her moody narratives and evocative portraits. Traditional elements of portraiture and backgrounds intermingle with dynamic angles, contemporary fashions and surreal landscapes contributing to heightened senses of emotion.
“My new body of work for “Sunder & Swell” is a direct attempt at capturing and making sense of the turmoil of feelings. As part of an ongoing exploration, these new images act as metaphors which address recurrent feelings of loneliness, isolation, and mortal anxiety.”
Bee’s artwork derives inspiration from a number of sources such as her own dreams, art history, comics, fairy tales and psychology. Each painting transports the viewer to a private place of familiarity and intimacy; these mysterious and secluded worlds are exclusive to each and every one of us yet au courant with humanity as the emotions present are ubiquitously understood and experienced.
ABOUT SYD BEE
Syd Bee is an emerging artist from Seattle, focused on dreamy candy-colored paintings of figures lost in their own inner worlds. Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries throughout the US. Syd has also been featured on the cover of The Stranger, and created comic book covers for Adventure Time.
Bee earned her Bachelor of Fine Art magna cumlaude from Cornish College of the Arts in 2013. She lives and works in Seattle, where she can be found surrounded by a library of fairy tales, comic books, and her cats.
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An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 13th, 2016 from 6 – 8pm at Haven Gallery. The artist will be present.
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
