How do gallery press releases get written? At times a matter of rote. At times an intimate gallery garden exchange, lunch dishes pushed aside, glass of Cali red, gallerist with pen and paper: artist unveiled, then edited for your eyes, with who, when what and where:
Chace-Randall Gallery proudly presents "Broadlands," photography by Lisa Candela November 12 – December 26, 2011. The exhibition is comprised of limited edition photographs, shot on film and printed on lush watercolor paper. Nearly the entire exhibition was shot at Broadlands, the old famed Gerry Estate. A Reception for the Artist is Saturday, November 12, 5 – 7 p.m.
Lisa Candela, now of Bovina, NY, born in La Jolla, CA, was drawn to the Broadlands estate for its history, abandonment, and rich patina. “As soon as one steps on the grounds, enters the old Gali-Curci mansion, one can’t help but imagine what life was like there, life that should be painted,” says Candela. Indeed, for Lisa Candela, each photograph she embarks upon is, in her mind, a painting, the setting a canvas as in old world times, the canvas a work of art in itself, waiting to be embellished. This embellishment is "Broadlands" by Lisa Candela.
Her lens is intimate, her subject matter, always personal: friends and children of friends. This series began in a lonely Bovina winter, the artist entreating her long time LA friend and stylist Gara Gambucci to visit. The two visited Broadlands, Candela with her lens and trunk full of antique and tribal garb. “I wanted Gara, for once, to style herself. I wanted the mirror which speaks to the artist in all of us. I wanted blues and purples. The mirror pieces came. "Winter Lilac,” says Candela. "Winter Lilac" is the signature of the exhibition.
Always in the intimate, comes "Giver of Love," as well. Broadlands was the canvas on which the playful photographer could be a little girl, no one dictating what she could shoot, all that gorgeous acreage, her play land. Candela, long in search of the little girl within herself, her father murdered when she was only two, came to reach that playful self in Broadlands and with the photographing of a young child, the young girl of a dear friend. In "Giver of Love", the young girl is placed under a royal arch, naked and raw to the world. “This piece gave me resolution, acknowledgement of self-validity,” says Candela. “Making this photograph fills a long empty void.”
Each piece in the exhibition has a story, the show composed as a full album, as in a musical album, a whole pie, a mark for the artist, a tattoo. Candela’s exposure to the arts came early through her grandmother, Jeanne Thayer, who is a Life Trustee of the Museum of Modern Art, and her great grandfather, Rosario Candela, one of New York City's greatest architects. But it wasn't until 1992 when her uncle gave her a camera that her career began. At night, she studied photography at UCLA, and during the day, she procured hands on experience in a world renowned photo lab printing for the likes of Helmet Newton, Albert Watson, and Ellen Von Unwerth. Resisting the digital movement, Candela shot collections on film and is best known for her vibrant, sensual imagery, often involving fascinating women and the Latin culture.
In 2006, Ms. Candela made her curatorial debut when she was given the right to hand select and develop a fine art collection from the late artist/photographer Dan Eldon's archives. The overwhelming success inspired the opening of the Candela-Decker Gallery in SOHO, NYC. In keeping with the tradition of Candela-Decker, all works are framed in found and salvaged woods, such as driftwood and old rafters, by David Decker.Lisa Candela is currently working on her first book. This is her first solo exhibition at Chace-Randall Gallery.
“In the spirit of intimacy of this exhibition, I admit I was first drawn to Lisa as an artist/gallerist with whom I immediately connected spiritually and aesthetically. We became fast friends. I wanted her in my gallery for her talent and her being. I suggested the "Broadlands" exhibition. It is perfect,” says Chace-Randall owner/director Zoe Randall.
Special thanks to Andy Wos for access to Broadlands.
Chace-Randall Gallery is located at 49 Main Street, Andes. Fall gallery hours: Saturday & Sunday and Holiday Fridays and Mondays 11 – 5 and by appointment. For more information call 845.676.4901 or email zoe@chacerandallgallery.com.
http://www.chacerandallgallery.com 845.676.4901
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