Sublimity in Gold: An Expedition Through Elements of Earth
In View of Lava, 24” x 24”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022.
Taking Action, 30” x 40”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022.
A visual journey of an expedition whitewater rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon for 25 days. A transformation from the grinding force of civilization to the serene and daunting wilderness, immersed in a totality of rock, water, and sky. Escaping to the other dimension of the world, where humanity remains in ancient ruins and nature holds its domain.
The elements dictate the fate of the expedition. Nature is the great equalizer. An acceptence of the dire consequences develops an understanding to the fragility of human life. Tragic consciousness-- the sublime creates a strong grasp on the artist's psyche. The most primal fears and moments of awe were felt through the grind. Waking early to find a memoriable sunrise created with a celestial cloud formation, pulsing in the sky. The anticipation of maneuvering past massive hydrolics, with the moment of contact felt as if passing by an eye of a beast. Then rushed through the hall of towering rock while maintaining direction despite the burbling water. The quiet intensity of the hardened landscape, where everything is sharp and desolate.
The bleakness becomes a majesty, aged to a golden hue, where awe is discovered and remembered. Through darkness there is light, through terror there is marvel. The translation of the canyon world through a gold lense evokes a gothic romance, a beauty in the canyon spires and deep swirling water of deadly consequence. The paintings are aged with a sense of an older world.
The artist's attempt to control is remarked upon the subtle forms of draftsmanship, of structural directions visually steering the viewer along a path through the wilderness, to make sense of the exposed elements. The underlying markings are redrawn on top of tonal brushstrokes, grounding the the expanding landscape.
Despite the hostilities of the environment, a grainery constructed into the cliffside remained intact for thousands of years, fingerprints visible in the texture of the binding mixture. Humanity remains a natural marvel of possibilities.
The Threshold, 36” x 60”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022.
Foreshadowing, 36” x 48”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022.
PRESS RELEASE:
Asheville, NC – On November 4, 2022, Mark Bettis Gallery will host an opening night reception for wildlife and landscape artist Tess Darling’s newest exhibition: Sublimity in Gold: An Expedition Through Elements of Earth.
The theme of her exhibition, “Sublimity in Gold,” was sparked by Darling’s life-changing whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. She experienced treacherous rapids and overwhelming waves. Then, “on land we scrambled through bouldered trails and crumbling cliffs,” she said. “There were moments of quiet contemplation as we walked in between walls of rock in the depths of slot canyons, interrupted by obstacles of stagnant water or greater heights to climb — one step at a time.”
Tess was inspired by her “highly sought-after journey, seen through the golden hue of its value — enlightenment, ancient knowledge, and danger,” she explained. “The gold lens transcends time and place; the richness of Earth and its sublimity does not end. There’s gold in the perspective of a journey through the wildness of the natural world.”
A Chapel Hill native, Darling told Carolina Home & Garden magazine about her art, “I want to help others connect to the natural world.”
“Sublimity in Gold: An Expedition Through Elements of Earth” will commence with an opening reception on Friday, November 4th, from 5:30—8:00 pm at the Mark Bettis Gallery located at 15 Broadway Street, in downtown Asheville. Also 10% of sales from show will benefit the non-profit organization “Mountain True” which champions resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge.
Guests will be able to meet and talk with artist Tess Darling during the opening reception. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
For more information about the exhibition and the gallery please visit markbettisgallery.com or contact Mark Bettis at (941) 587-9502 or markdbettis@gmail.com
10% proceeds to Mountain True
In Spite of the Beast (Moonshadow), 18” x 24”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022
Through Gothic Realms, 18” x 24”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022
In Slumber, 16” x 20”, acrylic and ink on canvas, 2022