VHAY & VHAY | ALTAMIRA JACKSON
Altamira Fine Art Jackson is pleased to present a special exhibition featuring sisters September and Erica Vhay. Just in time for the holidays, the Vhay's will present their distinctive work side by side for the first time.
Join us for the Artist Reception during the Holiday ArtWalk Thursday, December 21st from 5-8pm. Enjoy festive refreshments and a fun atmosphere, in celebration of the season and a unique new show. A Conversation with the Artists will begin at 6pm, allowing attendees to learn more about the artistic process.
September and Erica were exposed to similar family influences growing up, with a painter mother and sculptor grandfather, Gutzon Borglum, famous for his work on Mt. Rushmore. This artistic heritage shows in both artists’ respective styles. They attended the University of Oregon, getting together often to discuss classes. September studied architecture while Erica was in the fine art program.
Though their techniques and subject matter differ, the sisters agree their sense of composition is similar with a focus on the importance of negative space. The simplicity of their backgrounds, letting the viewer focus on the subject, can also be found in both artists work.
September Vhay is best known for her paintings and charcoals featuring wildlife subjects in a fresh and modern way - her work exudes a graceful quality, with clean, dynamic compositions and a soft palette.
"My challenge and subsequent reward is to reorder reality by distilling it to its essence. It is in this essence where the truth of subject lies. Beauty resides in this truth. It is a pleasure to seek out this essence and to share it with others." – September Vhay
Erica's show works will feature primarily figurative subjects, her loose, contemporary style elevates classical subjects such as ballerinas and women in flowing dresses- her rich color and simplified shapes lend an impressionistic feel that is both soft and modern.
"In this recent body of work, I am interested in the moments of the dancer. These women are caught in that moment of preparation or concentration around a dance. I am always interested in capturing women's lives separately as well as in a group. With dancers there is such a strong feeling of connection between the women. Often they are chatting casually with each other or unconsciously fixing their hair or dresses. There is a freedom of expression on this sharing and motion - one that women don't always have in other parts of their lives." – Erica Vhay
Pre-sales available, call (307) 739-4700.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
September Vhay was born in Reno, Nevada. A largely self-taught artist, her formal training is in architecture. She received her bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Oregon in 1993. Vhay's initial painting education, via architecture school, was in watercolor and she now paints in both watercolor and oil. Because of her skill with watercolor, she seamlessly achieves the freshness of watercolor with the saturation of color only possible in oils.
“It is an honor to participate in the creative process of making art as it is an entity larger than myself. I learn something new everyday and am continually delighted by what shows up on the canvas.” - September Vhay
The artists understanding of structure, composition, and light (all of which are crucial in architecture) give her paintings a sense of three-dimensional form. In addition to architecture, she was also influenced by the paintings and sculpture of her great-grandfather Gutzon Borglum, who created and sculpted Mount Rushmore and other prominent national monuments. It was his comparatively smaller-scale work that Vhay most admired.
Vhay's recent exhibitions include the 2017 Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale in Cody, WY, the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale in Denver, CO, and "Cowgirl Up" at Desert Caballeros Museum in Wickenburg, AZ. Among other awards, September won first place in painting at the 2012 Ex Arte Equinus International Competition, and the Trustee's Purchase Award at the 2010 Western Visions Show & Sale at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Her work has been featured in national publications including: Southwest Art Magazine, Western Art Collector, Mountain Living, Homestead, Luxe Magazine, Western Art & Architecture and Images West.
Erica Vhay currently lives and works in Flagstaff, AZ. She attended the University of Oregon where she received her degree in Fine Art, focusing in ceramic sculpture, drawing and painting. Since graduating she has combined her trade as a professional graphic designer and oil painter to serve her art career of 16 years.
The Vhay family has a long legacy of architects and artists; her great grandfather was the American sculptor and painter Gutzon Borglum, best known for the sculpting of Mt. Rushmore. This artistic heritage shows in Erica’s confident, unique style.
Her work is varied: including explorations in abstract, figurative and landscape painting. Her graphic design background is evident through her use of negative space: intelligent composition, and strong form. Regarding process: “On the final layer I place the paint on the canvas and leave each stroke as it was applied. This honors the direct quality of the paint and my process. I don't go back to rework the piece. How I am feeling on that day, that moment, can be seen in the brushstrokes: cautious or brave, random or studied. I believe art is more powerful if the viewer can see evidence of the painter in the work,” says Erica Vhay.
Over the last ten years, Erica's career has enjoyed a wide following with collectors across the United States. She has participated in many shows as an artist and as a juror.