Reinventing Mythology: NJ Artist's work Explore Fable And Folklore

Artist Christina Saj's work at Montclair NJ Gallery - Artspace 129 - features a collection astonishing in it's range of technique, images and subjects. Fairy's, angels spirits in imaginary landscapes take center stage of this large show of mixed media works. A reception for the artist will be held September 30, 2006 from 6-8pm.

Montclair NJ (PRWEB) September 14, 2006 -- "Visions & Imaginings," the aptly named exhibition of paintings by Christina Saj currently at artspace 129, presents examples of this artist’s work over roughly the last decade. It is astonishing in its range of technique, images and subjects. Saj immediately betrays her fascination with color and mythical subjects, for fable and folklore have always inspired her work. Though not narrative in the traditional sense, her paintings attempt to dazzle and engage the viewer through use of recognizable forms interlaced with rich surfaces of pattern and color.

The exhibit consists of five distinct groupings and begins on the first floor, with a loose series of transfer drawings – embellished with pastel. These fluid line drawings can’t help but evoke the influence of Paul Klee. They portray a variety of angels, prophets and friendly spirits. These playful and spontaneous works are rendered in graceful, free-flowing lines and bright cheery colors, with names like “Radiant Angel”, “Springtime in Costa Rica” and “Kaleidoscope”. Some of these pastel drawings on black paper such as “Scented Forest” and “Badge of Honor,” have a sense of mystery and gravity but still do not prepare the visitor for the work displayed on the second floor.

Also on the ground floor are some recent works on paper which include the “Tree of Life”, one this artist’s favorite themes and most popular series. These are represented by four elegant, crisply rendered and technically disciplined works on paper depicting stylized portraits this mythical symbol.

Upstairs, the main room is dominated by “Don Quixote, the Barefoot Warrior”, a 3 by 4 foot oil painting in bright, bold colors, of a somewhat bewildered hero tilting at windmills. But the most arresting image of the show is “Dark Angel”, a masterful, densely constructed iconic figure, executed with geometric precision that gives it a mystic quality, an other-worldly presence which would not be out of place in a modern Byzantine Church.

The back office is decorated with 5 paintings where the image literally spills over from the canvas onto the frames. The mood here is joyous and carefree with titles such as “Beach Party’, “Spring”, and “Manitou.”

Finally, there is a room devoted to works on slate and tile mounted on wood. These have a precious gem-like quality of rich colors and exquisitely intricate delicate drawings which present an unexpected counterpoint to the hard surfaces of the stone they are painted on. With such names as “Rhapsody", "Nude in the garden", "Where the Winds Are "and "Blue Moon Sunday".

The sixty odd works presented in this exhibit are an abundant demonstration of historic and timeless themes rendered in an thoroughly modern, abstract vernacular. Ms. Saj, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, received a MFA from Bard . She also studied in Florence and did an apprenticeship with the noted iconographer, Petro Cholodny. Her work has been shown extensively in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Her series of paintings “Tree of Life” were chosen by the State Department to adorn the American embassy in Qatar, and her work also adorns the permanent collection of the Bible Society in Manhattan. For more about Christina Saj please visit http://www.christinasaj.com (christina Saj)

artspace 129, is located in a law office in Montclair, NJ. The gallery shows work by regional contemporary artists in familiar environments, with the aim to inspire the appreciation of art in everyday life. artspace 129 is dedicated to featuring the work of established and emerging visual artists in real environments and occasionally does so outside the context of it’s normal exhibition location with the aim of introducing their work to collectors and art lovers in Montclair, NJ. For more information about the gallery or to make an appointment please visit http://www.artspace129.com (artspace 129).

A reception for the artist will be held September 30, 2006 6-8pm

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