New printed release by artist Andrei Kushnir: "Painted History"
RICHMOND, Va. - The exhibition "Painted History: The Landscapes of Valley View Farm" by plein air artist Andrei Kushnir opened at the Virginia Historical Society on February 21, where it will be on view until August 15. The exhibit features the entire body of work that the artist produced in a two-year period at the historic tract, situated in Virginia's Piedmont region.
Located in Fauquier County, in the hunt country of the northern Piedmont, Valley View Farm is one of the few family-owned farms in the Crooked Run Valley, "where the Old Virginia tradition of rural living in an idyllic setting has survived" seemingly unaltered.
The landscapes of Valley View Farm and the expanse of the valley as seen from the site's innumerable vantage points, are characterized by a pristine beauty and a pervading sense of tranquility.
The experience of perceiving this environment is conveyed in the paintings of the artist, who, as noted by William M.S. Rasmussen, Lora Robins Curator of Art, has left a visual record that extends beyond the mere recording of topography to convey the beauty and history of the region in a subtle and poignant way, underscoring the idyllic nature of the area.
Mr. Kushnir has tirelessly explored the site's landscapes in innumerable canvases (50 are on exhibit), returning to the settings in the various seasons. Some of the scenery is panoramic in its sweep, some is quiet and intimate ("Daphne's Domain"), some has a timeless yet fragile beauty ("Summer Storm"), and some incorporates animals that ìcontribute as much to the picturesque nature of the farm as they do to its economy.î
Mr. Rasmussen goes on to note that "The seasons bring variety that is impermanent and self-renewing. The great appeal of the Valley View landscape of course is that it has not changed. By the measure of centuries rather than seasons, it is a timeless landscape. Its pristine beauty has been little altered. Thus even after considerable human history has unfolded on the site, man is till so unobtrusive in this quiet setting that his presence is appreciated."
Valley View Farm is presented in the exhibition "as typifying the region's historic and arcadian landscape," which is in danger of being lost to development engendered by urban encroachment of the past half-century.
As noted in the foreword to the catalogue by Charles F. Bryan, Jr., president and CEO of the Virginia Historical Society, "Artist Andrei Kushnir has responded to these emotions in paintings that capture our attention first with their persistent and careful observation of the Virginia rural landscape, and again upon reflection about what these images represent of our past and possibly our future."
The paintings of Valley View Farm that are presented in the exhibition catalogue, Mr. Rasmussen notes, "will endure as a lasting record of a place, time, and lifestyle. We can hope that they will generate attention that will help the movement to preserve such settings. Too few have survived since the era of Thomas Cole."
"In another time, Thomas Cole, the great founding father of American landscape painting, said, '[I]f men were not blind and miserable to the beauty of nature, the great works necessary for the purpose of commerce might be carried on without destroying it, and at times might even contribute to her charms by rendering her more accessible.' Unfortunately, Cole's lament is as unheard today as it was in 1836."
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The "Painted History: The Landscapes of Valley View Farm" exhibit is accompanied by a full-color published catalogue. The 64-page publication depicts all of the paintings, features an introduction by Charles F. Bryan, Jr., president and CEO of the Virginia Historical Society, an essay by William M.S. Rasmussen, Lora Robins Curator of Art, about the area and the paintings, an introduction by the artist, and a map of the farm showing the artist's painting sites.
For additional information access the society's website, vahistorical.org.
The catalogue, priced at $19.95 plus shipping, is available from The Museum Shop of the Virginia Historical Society, 428 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23200; telephone, (804) 358-4901; or Howell Press Inc., 1713-2D Allied Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903; telephone, (434) 971-7204.
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Mr. Kushnir has exhibited his plein air oil paintings for more than 20 years in juried shows in galleries and museums throughout the United States. His works have been selected and shown in exhibitions judged by curators from the National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American Art, Hirshhorn Museum, and Corcoran Gallery.
He has been a finalist in the annual Arts for Parks Competition and the Best of America! 2003 exhibit by the National Oil and Acrylic Paintersí Society.
Apart from single artist and group shows, paintings by the artist have been included in "Along the Potomac" by Philip Ogilvie (Arcadia Publishing, 2000) and "Rock Creek Park" by Gail Spilsbury (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003).
The artist has two published catalogues (both by Taylor & Sons Fine Art): "My River" and "American Light 2001."
Mr. Kushnir is business partner since 2002, with Michele Taylor of the gallery "Andrei Kushnir/Michele Taylor, LLC-American Painting." The gallery has two recently opened locations: in Ellicott, Md., at 8289 Main St.; telephone, (410) 465-4467; and in New York City at 208 East Sixth St.; telephone, (212) 254-2628.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 21, 2004, No. 12, Vol. LXXII
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