PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Judy Nimtz: Intermundium
September 11 - October 9, 2021
September 11 - October 9, 2021
George Billis Gallery LA is pleased to present ‘Intermundium,’ the gallery’s first solo exhibition of paintings by Judy Nimtz. The new series of oil paintings continues Nimtz’s exploration of the human figure and the landscape and is based on her recent artist residency in Ireland. The exhibition is on view through October 9th.
There are times when something deeper than memory connects us to a place. Something in our history or blood recognizes that place even if we have not physically been there before. That deep connection appears distinctly in Nimtz’s new body of work based on her recent residency in Ireland. The new paintings are elegant and magically transporting.
The figures in this series are all based on the artist herself. Painting in her studio during the pandemic, Nimtz found herself grappling with self identity in a different way than in previous bodies of work and used the space of these canvases to explore her relationship with her Chinese heritage and what it means to be of mixed race in this day and age. There is a sense of searching and of a deep connection to the past in these paintings. Carefully chosen rock formations provide the grounding for Nimtz’s ethereal figures - the permanence of the stone balancing the powerful and graceful gestures of the figures. In Intermundium, the figure hovers in ghostly form over the ancient standing stones, her clothing blending into the sky and landscape - both connected and obscured. In Prepare for Battle, the figure stands poised on hilly terrain, one bare foot gripping the the rock outcropping as she secures her hair at the nape of her neck. She faces the hill and the menacing sky, stoic and unafraid in her trailing dark garb. The figures’ skin is almost marble-like in color and tactility - giving an otherworldly sense to their presence.
The elongated vertical format of the paintings allows for compositions that capture earth and sky and reference the human body in their length. The paintings invite the viewer to follow the figure in front of them or to go down path presented - they carry the viewer on a journey through this place. Nimtz’s work is the culmination of experiences gathered from life, from places visited, dreamed of, or imagined - her paintings are the distillation of light and shadow and form and narrative - all coming together in exquisite transfixing paintings.
Judy was born in Taipei, Taiwan and grew up in Hawai’i. While attending the University of Hawai’i she studied art as well as geology and Hawaiian studies where she expanded her love of nature and understanding of her home. She then transferred to the Art Institute of Southern California for a more formal art education. After receiving her BFA, she attended Cal State University – Fullerton’s MFA program before completing her MFA at Laguna College of Art & Design. When Judy’s not in her studio she combines her love of travel and art by plein air painting around the world, her native Hawai’i and adopted home of Venice Beach.
There are times when something deeper than memory connects us to a place. Something in our history or blood recognizes that place even if we have not physically been there before. That deep connection appears distinctly in Nimtz’s new body of work based on her recent residency in Ireland. The new paintings are elegant and magically transporting.
The figures in this series are all based on the artist herself. Painting in her studio during the pandemic, Nimtz found herself grappling with self identity in a different way than in previous bodies of work and used the space of these canvases to explore her relationship with her Chinese heritage and what it means to be of mixed race in this day and age. There is a sense of searching and of a deep connection to the past in these paintings. Carefully chosen rock formations provide the grounding for Nimtz’s ethereal figures - the permanence of the stone balancing the powerful and graceful gestures of the figures. In Intermundium, the figure hovers in ghostly form over the ancient standing stones, her clothing blending into the sky and landscape - both connected and obscured. In Prepare for Battle, the figure stands poised on hilly terrain, one bare foot gripping the the rock outcropping as she secures her hair at the nape of her neck. She faces the hill and the menacing sky, stoic and unafraid in her trailing dark garb. The figures’ skin is almost marble-like in color and tactility - giving an otherworldly sense to their presence.
The elongated vertical format of the paintings allows for compositions that capture earth and sky and reference the human body in their length. The paintings invite the viewer to follow the figure in front of them or to go down path presented - they carry the viewer on a journey through this place. Nimtz’s work is the culmination of experiences gathered from life, from places visited, dreamed of, or imagined - her paintings are the distillation of light and shadow and form and narrative - all coming together in exquisite transfixing paintings.
Judy was born in Taipei, Taiwan and grew up in Hawai’i. While attending the University of Hawai’i she studied art as well as geology and Hawaiian studies where she expanded her love of nature and understanding of her home. She then transferred to the Art Institute of Southern California for a more formal art education. After receiving her BFA, she attended Cal State University – Fullerton’s MFA program before completing her MFA at Laguna College of Art & Design. When Judy’s not in her studio she combines her love of travel and art by plein air painting around the world, her native Hawai’i and adopted home of Venice Beach.
George Billis Gallery opened its second location in the Culver City area of Los Angeles in 2004 and marks its 15th year in the Chelsea arts district in New York City. George Billis shows work by both emerging and established artists. For more information please contact the gallery at:
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
