Watercolors Of Ben Solowey

At The Studio June 7–29

2 cols.

Ben Solowey, “Young Woman with Still Life,” circa 1950, casein on paper, 32 by 40 inches.

 

FOR 5/23

THE STUDIO OF BEN SOLOWEY ANNOUNCES ‘WATER & LIGHT’ w/1 cut

ak/gs set 5/14 #739684

BEDMINSTER, PENN. — The Studio of Ben Solowey announces an exhibition, “Water & Light: The Watercolors of Ben Solowey,” a collection of works in watercolor, casein and gouache by Ben Solowey (1900–1978). The exhibition will open to the public on Saturday, June 7, at the Solowey Studio, with a reception from 1 to 5 pm. The installation will continue on Saturdays and Sunday, 1 to 5 pm, through June 29.

Acknowledged in his own day as an original and independent watercolorist, Solowey had an intuitive relationship with this challenging yet flexible medium. A staple of his career, watercolors, and related media such as casein and gouache, were also his classroom, a way for him to learn through experimentation — with color theory, composition, materials, optics, style, subject matter and technique, “far more freely than he could in the arena of oil painting,” says David Leopold, the director the Studio of Ben Solowey.

“This exhibition provides an intimate look at how one of the region’s most celebrated painters discovered for himself, over a period of more than five decades, the secrets of the watercolor medium,” he adds.

“Water & Light” is the largest exhibition of Solowey’s watercolors ever to be presented. It features more than 50 works from the studio’s collection, presenting a close look at his watercolor practice, his techniques and materials, and the way he adapted his approach and his color palette to the many different environments in which he painted.

 Throughout are works of his wife and primary model, Rae Solowey, from soon after they first met and married, through the four decades of their life together. The exhibition also examines the way Solowey’s watercolors related to his work in oil and other media, revealing the central role the medium played in helping him to achieve the fresh, direct and appealing scenes that have become his most enduring legacy to American art.

Soloway’s studio, and the 34-acre property it sits on, were created and landscaped by Solowey after he left New York in 1942. It has been featured in Architectural Digest, Pennsylvania Heritage, and Bucks County Town and Country Living.

“In honor of our opening on June 7, we will continue our tradition of serving homemade refreshments in the Solowey home,” says Leopold. “The 200-year-old farmhouse was restored by Ben and is filled with museum-quality furniture handcrafted by him. We only open the house rarely, so this is a special event. Also, on June 7 only, we are waiving the $5 admission fee.”

The exhibition is on view in Solowey’s handcrafted studio, 3551 Olde Bedminster Road. For information, 215-795-0028 or www.solowey.com.