Michael Bentley “New Works on Paper” at Gruen Galleries

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"Walking out to the shore every morning and looking out over the sea, I am still in awe of its beauty" -- Michael Bentley

With these new works, Bentley continues to explore abstract seascapes, with his unconventional use of gouache. Working with the medium’s brilliance and range of opacities and the intricate use of white pigment, there is a signature luminosity and reflective quality inherent to his earlier works. Bentley pushes the medium and the paper with the number of washes along with the size of the works, which are infused with countless layers applied over months to build the tranquil complexions evoking expanse and calm.

The rich texture and subtleties are not lost under glass, as these works are treated with a unique archival finish and can be taken in without distraction. This notably enhances the feeling of being drawn into the image, especially given the scale of the unusually large pieces, which size up to 48 by 96 inches.

Though not site specific, the imagery summons a stirring familiarity of place that truly resonates. For Bentley, living on the pristine coast of Nova Scotia with the North Atlantic's intense transforming beauty, provides an endless multitude of palettes, moods and movement to draw from.

Bentley paints from memory and describes that working with this medium generates a daily, metamorphic process, much like the sea that inspires.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Bentley was born in Wisconsin in 1957 and currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has exhibited in galleries and museums across the US, and his work can be found in numerous corporate and private collections.

Michael Bentley
New Works on Paper
November 3, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Gruen Galleries
Chicago, IL

FRAMING SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVICE

maple frame with graphite finish
maple frame with graphite finish

 

METRO GALLERY FRAME

Standard Profile: 115

Type: Standard gallery frame

Wood and Finish:  Maple frame with graphite finish

Purchasing Option:  Joined frame with matching splines

Strainer:  3/4" custom wood strainer with crossbars

Framing Advice: Fitting gallery frames