The Spartan Art Project presents: “Women” New Paintings From Karel Renard

Stop by the Spartan Art project on the TwispWorks campus for an epic opening over a year in the making. Originally scheduled to open in 2020, these new works from local artist Karel Renard are not to be missed.

ARTIST STATEMEMT
The women created in these paintings are seeds planted by Piero della Francesca b.1416—d.1492; they’re fleshed out from a sculpted tepid detached protocol…ruled by religion and wars; women within boundaries firmly fixed to the flex and nebulous facades as worshiped prisoners. There is an obvious class system with the Madonna at the top.
The pieces came from an aura of sex-love-death and leisure in a paused dream. Piero della Francesca painted the walls and ceilings of church’s and portraits’ for the wealthy, many contemporary artists have admired him.

I painted them as they divulged themselves—all were surprises with no script or forethought only a direction to drop them from the 15th Century into the 21st century with freedom and attitude—a stolen moment—each woman on her own journey.

9 Women from “the same oven—pulled [with HANDS] from the same lump of dough”.
These are paintings not of ideas but emotion—each one approached with love and portals from different directions.
Each piece includes hands—I can not explain why. I can only imagine three possibilities: the hardship of life—the unity of women—and the control of men.

Most of my life I have painted, collaged, drawn, sewn and printed works of art. The Spartan Art Project has enabled me to hang my art along with the Confluence Gallery. It’s gratifying to share a body of work with people — an end and a beginning.

“it is the slight of mind that give the speed to know things not as they are, but as they might be”.2

As James Baldwin noted – artists are here to disturb the peace.
Excerpts on 14th Century: #1 Sylvia Townsend Warner. #2 James Meek .

The Spartan Art Project is located on the TwispWorks campus adjacent to the Plaza @ TwispWorks. This show is offered free to the public but donations are graciously accepted.