Approaching a Threshold: A New Exhibition of Paintings by Sally Linder
The Gallery at Main Street Landing
60 Lake Street, Burlington, Vermont
Exhibition November 4 – 12, 2011
Artist Reception Friday, November 4, 5 – 7PM
“The polar bear may be just the canary in the coal mine… If we can save the polar bears, we will ultimately save ourselves.” Theodore Roosevelt IVRoosevelt’s statement succinctly reveals with emotional accuracy global warming’s effect on our planet and the entire Earth family. Sally Linder’s most recent painting series from the last two years explores climate change and its effects on the Arctic landscape, specifically the polar bear. Blending representation and abstraction the paintings are both evocative and beautiful. Concern for and love of Earth along with command of the craft and process of painting is readily apparent in the deeply worked surfaces. She turns to oil based products for the painting surface (Mylar) and the mediums (tar and wax along with oil paint and oil stick). Through intensive research into the Arctic, polar bears, and global warming the paintings respond to issues such as oil exploration, extraction and transport, coal mining, species adaptation and cultural relocation. At the forefront is the magnificent polar bear in full regal attire and presence.
Wanting the paintings to deepen reflection, create a larger space around the climate crisis and to hopefully promote involvement, the Burlington exhibition will be multi-disciplinary with related events at the gallery throughout the week. At the opening reception on November 4, Gus Speth, cofounder of NRDC and a professor at Vermont Law School will give remarks. At 7 PM, award winning filmmaker David Wright will present his National Geographic film Realm of the Great White Bear and his new trailer An Uncertain Future from his recent filming on Cooper’s Island, Alaska.
On November 11, 7-9 pm in the gallery, Amy Seidl, author of Finding Higher Ground, and Joe Roman, author of Listed: Dispatches from America’s Endangered Species Act, will give readings and hold a conversation with the audience about species extinction, climate change and navigating an uncertain future. For the full list of events during the exhibition week and to see the paintings go to www.sallylinder.comLinder is collaborating with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Immediately following this exhibition selected paintings will go to NRDC’s headquarters in New York City for subsequent exhibitions. Sally exhibits and has won numerous awards nationally and internationally. Her work is collected in the United States and abroad. She lives and paints in Burlington, Vermont. For more information, contact Sally Linder , 802-734-7344, sallylinder@gmail.com, www.sallylinder.com
Images: Gossamer, Taking Control and Custody, Sentient Being
