"Glow" Shines at Pleiades Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. - Feb. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Pleiades Gallery presents

Glow

New Work by Jena Matzen and Saba Barnard

February 18 - March 8, 2014

Third Friday Reception: Friday, February 21, 2014 6-9 pm

Artists’ Salon: Thursday, February 27, 2014 6-8 pm

“Glow” is a radiant collection of new work by Pleiades Gallery artists Jena Matzen and Saba Barnard that showcases their individual talents as jeweler and painter.  Using their respective mediums and subject matter - which share elements of pattern, bold color and use of gold - each explores and interprets all that glows.

For Jena, "Glow" implies illumination and newness - newbeginnings, new life, new love, and new inspirations.  And specifically, it means a new direction as she is highlighting her recently acquired lapidary skills with a focus on materials that have an iridescence or inner glow.  She believes that jewelry should enhance the wearer's inner and outer beauty, and it can do this literally or figuratively.

Saba interprets “Glow” with an array of glittering materials like beads, rhinestones, and gold leaf.  Her work includes realistic portraiture, abstracted female forms, and intricate patterning, all contributing to an exploration of femininity that is bold and introspective.

In addition to the Third Friday reception, Pleiades Gallery invites you to join Jena and Saba for an Artists’ Salon on Thursday, February 27^th, 6-8 pm.

ABOUT JENA MATZEN'S WORK

For Jena, “Glow" is a body of work displaying her refinement and use of new materials and tools.  She takes fresh approaches using inspired designs to interpret what it means to “glow”.  Pieces will include iridescent hand-cut and polished opal and feldspars, as well as pearls, fused glass and gold.  Her jewelry begins with metal - silver/brass/copper/gold wire, sheet, and tubing – and rough gem, stone, fossil materials, resins, pigments, enamels, papers and glass.  She then hand-fabricates each piece using traditional metal-smithing and lapidary tools and techniques.  She is inspired by nature, science, architecture, relationships, spiritualism, pop culture as well as art + design through the ages and around the globe

ABOUT SABA BARNARD'S WORK

For “Glow,” Saba incorporates traditional patterns and original designs to interpret the female form and experience.  The pieces are adorned with materials that glitter, glisten, and glow.  Combining painting with techniques like sewing, beading, block printing, and simple sculpture, she explores the dynamic experience of being a woman.  A daring new piece titled “Blood, Milk, Magic” is a 6 foot tall abstraction of a nursing woman, with 3-dimensional breasts and a heavily beaded neckpiece.

ABOUT PLEIADES GALLERY

Pleiades joined the Durham art scene in April, 2013. The gallery offers outstanding contemporary art from a select group of talented and award-winning local jewelers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and painters. Each month the ten member artists of the gallery offer intriguing and inspiring installations with receptions on Third Fridays 6-9 pm. Pleiades Gallery welcomes new art appreciators as well as established collectors, and strives to build strong relationships with customers and the broader arts community.  Pleiades Gallery is located in the Five Points area of downtown Durham at 109 East Chapel Hill Street. All Pleiades Gallery events are free and open to the public.

For more information visit the gallery web site at www.pleiadesartdurham.com and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at Pleiades Gallery.

Pleiades Gallery

109 E. Chapel Hill St.

Durham, NC 27701

919-797-2706

PleiadesArtDurham.com

Sun & Mon: closed

Tues- Thurs: 12pm - 7pm

Fri & Sat: 12pm– 8pm

Contact:

Kim Wheaton

Pleiades Gallery

(919) 797-2706

info@pleiadesartdurham.com