“Kitchen Dreams” – Works in Glass by Ricky Bernstein

rickybsteinUM LOWE ART MUSEUM DREAMS OF GLASS IN BERNSTEIN EXHIBITION WORKS FROM QUIRKY GLASS ARTIST GUARANTEED TO AMUSE VIEWERS

WHAT: “Kitchen Dreams” – Works in Glass by Ricky Bernstein

WHEN: Opens  Thursday, Oct. 29 2009, through Jan. 24, 2010

WHERE: Hosted by the Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts at the Lowe Art Museum, Miami

INFORMATION: (305) 284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.

Have you ever had a day where everything just goes wrong?

Glass artist Ricky Bernstein has, and has captured those moments of frustration with the minor mishaps of modern life in oversized vibrantly colored glass cartoon wall reliefs. His blown sheet glass of painted commercial glass combines aluminum, wood, plastic, acrylic paints, color pencils and other mixed materials to create assemblages that are humorous social satires.

Sponsored by the Myrna and Sheldon Palley and their Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Arts at the Lowe Art Museum on the  University of Miami campus, Bernstein’s Kitchen Dreams pokes fun at, and commiserates with, characters wrapped up in the dramas of daily life.

One man plays tug of war with his dog over a shoe, another tries to untangle himself from a telephone cord, and a woman looks in despair at a clock as she struggles to clean a never-ending pile of dirty dishes. His hilarious characters are caricatures of overworked, overwhelmed and overbooked Americans.

Bernstein describes his characters as “a slice of Americana, going about their daily lives with the barest degree of composure. As they round the next corner looking warily over their shoulder they sigh, take a deep breath, and wonder what could possibly happen next? Mostly they hang on for the big ride, and hope for the best.”

Inspired by the wild activity at home with his wife and two young daughters, Bernstein’s work has an underlying humanity to which everyone can relate. The work of Red Grooms, Jack Levine and Gary Larson also have a profound affect on Ricky’s work, along with the sit-com world of 50’s television a time in which he was raised. Ricky also draws influence from such painters as Thomas Hart Benton, Reginald Marsh and Paul Cadmus. His narrative, collage-style wall reliefs have a distinct “pop-art” flavor. 

Bruce Pepich, 20th century Curator of the Racine Art Museum says of Ricky Bernstein: “He makes us comfortable with amusing characters while simultaneously posing serious questions in these satirical comments on modern life. Whether parody, narrative or farce, the issues Bernstein poses are well worth our serious consideration.” 

Bernstein’s work is widely collected throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Corning Museum of Glass in NY, the Museum of Arts and Design, in NYC, and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.

 http://www.rickybernstein.com/ and http://www.rickybernstein.com/KitchenDreams.html

An illustrated exhibition catalog will available for purchase in the Lowe Museum Store.

About The Myrna and Sheldon Palley Pavilion for Contemporary Glass and Studio Art at The Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami campus. Opened in December 2008, The Palley Pavilion displays the Palley glass collection on a rotating basis and features additional donations in glass, ceramics and fiber. The collection built over 30 years is comprised of300 pieces by 53 different artists, including works by Howard Ben Tre, Jose Chardiet, Dale Chihuly, Dan Dailey, Michael Glancy, Harvey Littleton, Stephen Weinberg, Stanislav Labinsky, and Lino Tagliapietra, among others.

The light-filled 3,500 square foot Pavilion has been designed by Coral Gables based architect Ronald Mateu, of Mateu Architecture Inc., and incorporates elements that show off the inherent qualities of glass. “Glass is an art form that is alive, it reflects & feeds off the environment- especially light. Glass is not flat, like a painting or a piece of sculpture; it has light within. As I always say: it would be a dismal world if everything was black & white,” said Myrna Palley.

The Lowe Art Museum is located at the University of Miami at 1301 Stanford Drive, Coral Gables. Gallery and Museum Store hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10-4; Sunday: 12-4; Monday: Closed. Regular Admission (not including special events) is $10; $5 for Seniors and Non-UM Students; Free for Lowe Art Museum Members, University of Miami students, faculty and staff, and children under 12. For more information, call (305) 284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.

The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu.

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