“Threads”

January 13 – February 25, 2012

Opening reception Friday,  January 13, 6 – 8 pm

“Threads” is the first exhibition of 2012 at The Sandra Phillips Gallery and features the works of established and popular artists Irene Delka McCray and Barbara Groh.  This body of work focuses on the importance of line in artistic practice, and how it can be manipulated to represent something very personal to the artist, like Groh’s meditative line drawings, or how it can be worked into something more tangible, like McCray’s realistic paintings and drawings of fabric.  On a more conceptual level, “Threads” also represents the personal connection shared between these two women and how their lives have been woven together through their artistry.  Although both artists exhibit very personal and divergent styles, the joining of their work will bridge the gap between concept and execution, and reveal to the audience how the simplicity of  line and the connections among artists can create an energetic and holistic collection of artworks. Dianne Vanderlip curator emeritus Denver Art Museum described  Irene Delka McCray as "the best figure painter in the region". 

Irene Delka McCray and Barbara Groh both earned their MFA in 2000 from the Vermont College of Norwich University.  McCray currently teaches at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Colorado, which is where Groh earned her BFA in 1995.  Irene has been showing her work since the 1980s and is in the collection of The Denver Art Museum.  Barbara has been exhibiting since the 1970s and her work is held in the collections of the Burchfield Art Center of Buffalo, NY, Colorado Bank Shares, and Piton Oil Corporation.

Barbara Groh Rock Song acrylic, earth, netting on Strathmore paper 29 x 23 inches

Barbara Groh Strand Song acrylic, earth, netting on Strathmore paper 29 x 23 inches

Barbara Groh Morning Star Song acrylic, earth, netting on Strathmore paper 29 x 23 inches