ArtBeat: Laura Colomb @ UpstArt Gallery

Earlier this summer, Laura Colomb was named Best Emerging Regional Curator by Metroland for her work as exhibitions coordinator for the Arts Center Gallery in Saratoga Springs.

Now Colomb’s own artwork is on view at UpstArt Gallery in Glens Falls. Her one-person exhibiton of new work is titled “Alchemie,” featuring large-scale oil paintings with elements of Adirondack landscape and still life.

“The images in Alchemie are influenced both by the experience of the Adirondacks and by Netherlandish diptych painting. The Netherlandish diptych served as a means to communicate concepts beyond normal human life,” says Colombe in her artist statement. “Rich with symbolic imagery, diptychs hinted at the ‘space beyond’ and ‘life beyond’ through the presence of an open window onto a distant landscape.

“‘Alchemie’ is a Dutch word that means ‘forerunner to modern chemistry.’ Utilizing the vase form of vessels used in alchemic experiments, I have attempted to combine symbolic still-life imagery with interior and exterior subject matter that relates both locally and art historically.”

“Alchemie” opens on Friday, September 4 and remains on view through Saturday, October 3. There will be a reception with the artist from 5-8pm on Saturday, September 12 and an artist’s talk at 7pm on Thursday, September 17.