Red Love at Studio 8

ForArtzSake hosted an Artist’s Reception featuring a number of erotic drawings and prints created by Curlee Raven Holton known as the Red Love Collection at Studio 8 in Stroudsburg, PA on Saturday August 10th. I arrived a bit early to the event so I decided to walk around the town while I waited for the venue to open its doors. I came upon a friend who shared she had seen flyers posted and would have liked to attend the reception if she wasn’t otherwise engaged.

During our conversation, she reported seeing some people walking down the streets of Stroudsburg tearing down the flyers promoting the reception which depicted a censored version of a piece being shown. It was assumed the individuals who removed the material and placed them in a trash receptacle did so because they were morally offended by the content of the exhibit. However, seeing the image could have brought back memories along with a resentment of having bodies no longer resembling those depicted in the flyers leading to a destructive retaliation against the pieces of paper. Regardless of the reason the flyers were removed and placed in the trash, my young friend told me she dove into the trash can, retrieved the flyers, and placed them back upon the spots they were removed from proving there are people in the area who are doing the Lord’s work.

After hearing this story and chatting about other topics, we concluded our conversation and moved to depart from one another so we could partake of the day we chose to enjoy in our unique ways. The Studio was opened at this time and I entered the gallery. I was greeted by members of the staff and the exhibition’s curator, Sara Smith-Katz, who were busy placing the final touches on the venue’s setting and placing the light refreshments that were offered to those who would enter in their accessible areas. Ms. Smith-Katz was particularly busy mixing up a special blend of Sangria whose intoxicants of liquid sensuality elegantly reflected the mood created by the work presented in the well attended exhibit.

Much of the work created by Curlee Raven Holton hung upon the wall was draped by images which gave an impression of what laid beneath the paper. Once one would unveil the piece, one discovered a well drawn depiction of a nude in a sensual pose. The presentation of the exhibit proved to have the ability to capture a naughty imagination of those who mischievously lifted up the drapery while admiring the aesthetic properties of the pieces.

During a conversation with Mr. Holton, I gained some insight into the creative process he employs in order to produce the images he does. He said that it is important for him, as an artist, to build a trusting rapport with the model. Once this is established, he draws not only the contours of the person’s form but also the essence of the relationship they have created with one another. This is what allows a preliminary sketch of a subject drawn by the artist the ability to be transformed into a work of art.

He also revealed the artist’s challenge is to capture the essence of the relationship without instilling too many of the interpretive qualities inherent in the creative process. To further explain this point, he mentioned how he moves the pen or to what degree he produces a shadow could be influenced by a number of factors such as the thoughts he is thinking on any variety of topics, what he had for breakfast, and so forth while he is performing the act of drawing. Mr. Holton shared that his goal is to present the purest reflection of the relationship he and his model shares in his work void of any interpretive dilutions.

This insight added much to an already enjoyable exhibit. The work was very good as it was intriguing while inspiring a degree of naughtiness among those who view it which is sadly absent from many exhibitions containing the nude form as it is considered a sign of immaturity to display any sexual excitement in viewing a naked person. Although this may be true among those who ascribe to the highest accolades of artistic expression, I am more than willing to admit that I like looking at naked women. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Red Love Collection Artist’s Reception in the Stroudsburg Art District 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151420282390421.539464.636000420&type=1.

Curlee Raven Holton is an internationally known painter and master printmaker who has presented his work over 100 exhibitions both as a solo artist and part of a group show. His work has also been featured in several publications and he has lectured at academic institutions and galleries throughout the world. Mr. Holton currently teaches printmaking and African Art History at Lafayette College location in Easton, PA and is the director of The Experimental Printmaking Institute at college’s Williams Center for the Arts. You can learn more about Curlee Raven Holton and his work by contacting him at holtonc@lafayette.edu.

Studio 8 is located on 6th Street in Stroudsburg, PA and is one of the galleries within the epicenter of an emerging Art District of the town. A variety of art related events and classes take place in the venue which are offered to the public. The space is shared by Gigi and Company Dance Studio owned by Jeannine “Gigi” Quinones offering instructions in a variety forms of dance along with performances and For ArtzSake who represents artists of nationally and international renown.

The Red Love Collection hosted by For ArtzSake and featuring the work of Curlee Raven Holton will be on display until August 31st of which the denizens of Studio 8 will hold a number of events to Celebrate the Stroudfest event taking place throughout the town of Stroudsburg, PA. For ArtzSake’s next exhibition will present Tattoo Art on Paper with an Artists’ Reception  scheduled for Saturday September 7th. You can learn more about For ArtzSake, their upcoming exhibitions, and all they have to offer by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/For-ArtzSake/197412433691630.