What happens to an old favorite, the still life painting, in the hands of today’s artists? Cincinnati Art Galleries’ pleasurable exhibition, Beyond the Still Life, answers that question with works from 14 Cincinnati area artists. Color kicks in immediately: See Sheila Fleischer’s sun-struck fruits; Sheldon Tapley uses shadow to accent fragility; Rob Anderson presents a half-filled milk bottle in delicate detail; Brian Burt is a meticulous painter with jokes up his sleeve. Surface and texture give life to Emil Robinson’s “Letter,” in which that undistinguished object, a piece of paper, becomes magical. Cole Carothers infuses the ordinary with unfailing visual pleasures. Susan Mahan’s collage/paintings are witty and engaging. Other artists paying tribute to classical sources while moving on are Larry Womack, Pat Olding, Joanne Honschopp, Ellen Isfort, Tim Tepe, Sue Sampson and John Kluesener. The show, curated by Daniel Brown, runs through June 29. Cincinnati Art Galleries. 225 E. Sixth St., Downtown. www.cincyart.com.
This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2012.