In Art: Plus Gallery Exhibits Denver's Wes Magyar & Robin Schaefer

Plus Gallery's Newest Show with Denver's Wes Magyar & Robin Schaefer
by Lisa Gedgaudas

Plus Gallery opened a show on April 19th that features two of Denver’s beloved representational painters, Robin Schaefer and Wes Magyar. Both artists have a taste for high, visual enticement, detail, and perfection. The subject matter is usually blatant- a face, food, or flower, but each piece conceals complexities, and evoke multifaceted sensations.

Robin Schaefer’s exhibit “Mimesis” touches on two different concepts that she has been working on, both complimenting each other and bringing the visual stimulation of reflection and illumination.

In previous works, portrays one still-life subject juxtaposed with another, curious, sometimes apathetic or complimentary still life. You might will find organic- one vegetable, mixed with metal- one solitary nail, lying beside it like an old friend.

For her current show, Schaefer still brings in two still-life subjects, but this time, the second one is simply a reflection of the first. The majority of the paintings take on the organic subject like a squash blossoms, asparagus, or a tulip while others provide a more abstract feeling using inorganic, crushed, metal bottle caps. All the works are executed with precision and elegance, placing each subject in its own moment of simplicity. These objects are placed on a black, lacquer-like background that heightens the intensity of the subject’s ghostlike reflections below it.

Schaefer explains, “My work is about relationships and understanding the vulnerability that occurs as we navigate through them. I use this subject matter partially because I am drawn to their delicate nature and powerful historical symbolism, but also because they speak symbolically to the frailty inherent in human interaction.”

Whether it is the asparagus, with its raw and bruising colors and provocative shape, or the bottle cap that exposes our interaction with consumption, the point of recognition becomes palpable, reflects also on life’s impurities. Her approach sets the stage for the viewer to tap into the more contemplative and arousing parts of visual art.

"Mimesis" is the culmination of multiple bodies of work from the last four years, segments of which will be shown this summer at the Denver Botanic Gardens in a retrospective exhibition "Synthesis."
Wes Magyar’s “Convergence” series is dynamic and depicts painted portraits usually portraying a larger narrative. The title of the show refers to the “interconnectedness of the characters introduced in this series.” His use of the brush is traditional, and takes on a detailed knowledge for his perfection of light and color.

The portrait, as a subject, is an incredibly hard sell and can be impersonal, but Magyar’s work has been coveted by numerous buyers and collectors nationally. The symbolism in his work can sometimes be less obvious than others, yet still hands you more than just a face. It may be the look in a man’s eye or way his head tilts that makes the viewer consider something emotional and more private.

Wes Magyar is one of four artists represented at Plus Gallery to have works in the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum, and his latest body of work "Convergence" coincides with his tenth anniversary exhibiting in Denver.

In conjunction with Magyar and Schaefer, Plus Gallery is present "The Piano Project" by Jonathan Saiz in the gallery sidebar.

This show runs through May 24, 2008
*Artist’s talk Friday May 2nd @ 7pm

Plus Gallery is located at:
2350 Lawrence Street, Denver 80205

Hours: Wed – Sat (noon until 6pm)
Appointments can be made all other times by calling 303.296.0927
or emailing info@plusgallery.com

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About Plus Gallery:
Established in 2001, Plus Gallery was established in 2001 by gallery owner Ivar Zeile who has built a reputation as a leading venue for collectors of progressive contemporary art. The gallery represents both emerging and established national artists, including some of Colorado's most influential.

Ivar Zeile currently serves on the Denver Mayor's Commission on Cultural Affairs and is on the executive board of Denver's Platteforum. The gallery is a member of the Denver Art Dealers Association and the River North Arts District.

For more information please visit: www.plusgallery.com