Brandt Gallery is delighted to present, “The View from Here”, a solo-exhibition by acclaimed Contemporary Impressionist Painter Mark Gingerich. In this newest body of work, the underlying finesse to Gingerich’s practice remains consistent- to render unexpected yet familiar subject matter in a manner which encapsulates the unassuming beauty of each scene.
This new series unveils over 20 oil paintings on linen, canvas panels and paper, that portray cosmopolitan scenes and green spaces in and around Columbus, Ohio and beyond. The artist’s unparalleled and keen artistic eye, allows him to romanticize even that which might be considered mundane, such as a back alley of German Village, views across the Scioto river, a nocturne of Columbus’s skyline. Gingerich captures the dynamism of small, everyday moments, whilst also holding true to his values, and assimilating his faith-based perspective to the beauty of the natural world into each of his pieces. While many of the works depict recognizable locales, they also offer scenes of daily life and not necessarily prominent landmarks. The series as a whole offers a portrait of Columbus as a growing and expanding contemporary metropolis. Through his lens, Gingerich also conveys the sense of beloved neighborhood common spaces where communities gather, such as dining at a restaurant or taking a gander in Schiller Park.
Gingerich’s instinctive ability to work alla prima (a painting technique utilizing a wet on wet approach in which an artist completes a painting from start to finish) is remarkable. It is the basis for his works evoking a sense of novelty and fleeting light. What remains congruous throughout all Gingerich’s work is the harmony between light and shadow. Gingerich has mastered deliberately juxtaposing areas of nuanced color with sections of strong, saturated color to create a dynamic, yet cohesive palette in his works. Non-formulaic in his approach, each composition presents a striking and unique color scheme specific to that particular scene. His loose brushwork and multifaceted compositions are influenced by the French Barbizon and Impressionist aesthetic of style and color. Adding to the complexity of his approach, Gingerich fluctuates between painting with a traditional paint brush or using a palette knife as a mark-making tool.
Gingerich was born in West Germany to missionary parents. He spent the majority of his formative years residing in rural Ohio, after his parents returned to the states. He has studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design, and the Atelier Du Nord School on Lake Superior, and is a signature Member of the American Impressionist Society. Gingerich’s paintings are included in numerous public and private national collections, most notably the Ohio Governor’s Mansion, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s collection, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
“The View from Here” is on view from November 16th through December 31st, during gallery hours, Wednesday to Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday to Sunday from 1-5pm, and by private appointment. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist from 2-4pm on Sunday, November 16th. A virtual catalog is also available. Private appointments and virtual catalogs can be requested by emailing brgalleries@gmail.com or calling 614.223.1655.