Tennessee-based artist Nathaniel Galka presents an exhibition of dreamy landscapes on canvas, now on display at The Altamont Theatre Company in downtown Asheville. Galka’s color-saturated scenes are exquisitely imagined and infused with a surreal, fantastical quality.
His painting “Stop and Look at Me,” depicts pink trees perched on a gray hillside with yellow clouds decorating the sky. The branches of the tree are bent like knuckles, and from the tree’s slender-but-bulbous body, black, feathered leaves sprout and reach into a pink and gray atmosphere. His landscapes often feature animal imagery as well — like the monkey sitting in a forest of red bamboo in “Dust and Water,” or the lone crane standing before an orange marsh in “Walking Through the Yellow Garden,” its feathers blown to the left by a fierce wind. Galka landscapes, though colorful and vibrant, have a somewhat haunting effect, which is heighten by the fact that these creatures are alone, their gaze cast just beyond Galka’s dramatic scene.
The Altamont invites the public to view Galka’s striking work now through Wednesday, May 25, and invites the community to attend an opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, April 1.
As described in a press release, the exhibition portrays “Galka’s personal interpretation of nature, with all of its color, drama and movement.” As the artist says of his work, as quoted in the release, “There’s no denying that nature is theatrical. As with most of us, we feel nature is continuously unveiling a sublime dramatic performance that is riveting to watch. There are always dramas and battles, with this game of tug of war being laid out for all to see. No matter how these events play out, you will still be able to stumble into the quiet charm and the delight of her sincere grace. In these simple moments, the surrounding quiet and stillness become the key players on nature’s main stage.”
As Brian Lee, executive director of The Altamont, says of the exhibition on display at the theatre: “Our goal is to bring outstanding artists who are advancing toward new horizons in the art world to the gallery of our newly renovated multi-use building,” as stated in the release. He continues, “We feel Galka is one such innovator.”
The Altamont is located at 18 Church St., in downtown Asheville. Info: www.myaltamont.com/theatre-company.html or 274-8070. For more information about the artist, click here.
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