Open

Our third Art competition “Open” started in January 2020 and concluded on February 10, 2020. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Estonia, Singapore, Egypt, Israel, Finland and South Korea. The Open theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, photography, mixed media, collage, graphite, digital, watercolor, stone, cotton, metal print, alcohol ink, resin and fabric). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 85 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

First place

Statement:

I grew up in the suburbs on the coast of the Pacific Ocean surrounded by forest and beautiful beaches. Close contact with nature affected my whole life, especially made its mark on my artistic style. While in high school I enrolled in the School-Studio of the Fine Arts that provided me a strong foundation of academic knowledge of many different techniques and styles and set me off on the path of exploration. I have done Plain-Air pastel painting, watercolor and oil painting, silk screening, and mixed media. Over time 3D art became most appealing to me. I focused on direct stone carving and ceramics. The inspiration for my works always comes from nature. There is nothing better and stronger than it. The more I observe and explore the world around us, the more I marvel at its originality and uniqueness. Most of my works created under this influence. My favorite materials are stone and clay. Stone cannot be compared to any other material. When I'm working with a stone, I'm listening to what it "tells" me. Every stone has its character. Sometimes the stone is a collaborator; sometimes it is an opponent. Great results can be achieved only by compromising. Working on the project, I'm trying to express my thoughts and enrich them with purity of the material. My works always a combination of the plasticity of forms, movement, organical biomorphic shapes, "S" curves, a combination of positive and negative spaces. Another material I'm working with is clay. It is almost complete opposite to stone - it is an obedient material that allows me to embody my ideas and always cooperates with me. My works are handbuilt sculptures and pottery. I find clay's natural color and texture attractive and trying to preserve them in works as much as possible. Glazes are used sporadically and only to highlight or contrast the natural beauty of the material used. Underglaze painting also opens new horizons in working with clay and offered many new possibilities. Since 2013 I work at Art Academia - European School of Arts as a 3D arts teacher. My goal of teaching is to develop a love for creativity and make sure that every student feels satisfaction from the process of creation and the result.

Statement:

Born 1949. Estonian printmaker and digital artist. 1973-1979 Studied graphic art at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Master of Arts. Has participated in exhibitions since 1978. Honorary Member of the Estonian Artists' Association and of the Association of Estonian Printmakers. 24 solo exhibitions. Participated in nearly 200 international exhibitions and art competitions in 40 countries, received over than 30 recognitions. In addition, participated in tens Estonian art exhibitions at home country and abroad. Nowadays creates own works digitally. My submitted artworks has been created by using computer. The basics elements are created with the INCENDIA NEXT program, which has been moved to the PhotShop background, forming multiple layers. These layers, depending on the work, can be up to ten. By using the gradient is achieved the depth, the works resonate as three-dimensional. The artworks are printed in art printing house Artproof with only pigment inks EPSON on quality art paper Hahnemüle Photo Rag Satin. These are the originals, giclee or copy is excluded. My goal is to create original and aesthetic art. Be free to repeat yourself and imitate others

Statement:

Marlene Siff has exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and abroad, including the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington DC , Katonah Museum of Art, NY, Columbia/Barnard University, NY, ArtVenice Biennale 3, Embraer Executive Jets Showroom, in Melbourne, FL , B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, Washington, DC, permanent collection, Aldrich Museum, CT, and Galerie Musée in Nagoya, Japan. Her work has been sought out by major corporate and private collections around the United States, including the Nevin Welcome Center at Cornell University. She was featured in an episode of Creative Women Today, on CT Cablevision (2010), and selected to appear in “Years in the Making”, a documentary film by Martin West (2009). Siff was born and raised in the Bronx. She graduated from the eponymous High School of Music and Art in New York, now Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. My paintings, works on paper, and sculpture depict imagery of personal events and psychological issues. They are expressed through geometric shapes, color, light, space, texture, edges and movement each interplaying with one another engaging the viewer to participate. The multi-dimensionality and multi-layering of my work reference what one must uncover to penetrate the illusions of reality and reach the mystery within us. My previous body of work entitled Elements of Peace incorporated white paintings and my signature bold palette. These paintings pay homage to people who have been affected by war.