I’m pleased to announce my solo exhibition at the Greenville Theatre, Bridge City Views.
Join me for an opening reception Thursday, March 14 from 6 - 9 pm.
Bridge City Views features a collection of original paintings on canvas, works on paper, and limited edition giclee prints. The exhibition features work created since 2020 to the present, when I returned to my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.
I was living in New York City at the time of the pandemic where I was pursuing my career as a fine artist after receiving my MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Art at Tufts University in Boston, MA. I was living in downtown Manhattan when the pandemic hit and when reality of the severity of the lockdown became clear, the uncertainty of the effects of the unknown virus, and other unrest and crisis unraveling in our country, I made a quick decision to leave NYC and fly back to Greenville with one suitcase.
I brought with me the art supplies I could take under the circumstances which included a pad of mixed media paper, a small set of gouache paint, and a few brushes. When I arrived in Greenville, there was an overwhelming panic around the world as everything closed, lives abruptly changed, and what was unthinkable in our lifetime, a global pandemic, was unfolding for all of us.
As a respite from the anxiety, the unknown and the crisis unfolding, I frequently took long walks around the Greenville area, in parks, downtown, my childhood neighborhood, the state parks surrounding the area and was struck by the natural beauty around me. I captured this beauty in a series of floral works on paper and titled the series, “Springtime is Happening”. The spirit of art, the beautiful colors and life of springtime in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains not only kept me going through the pandemic, helped me to keep my drive and motivation intact, but inspired me in new and unexpected ways, allowing a sense of joy to emerge, as I began to feel alive with happiness, gratitude, and hope.
The new work and new unexpected turn of circumstances prompted me to stay in Greenville. I eventually moved my studio back to my hometown where I have been living and painting since. Once moving my studio back to Greenville, I began a series of works on canvas inspired by the vibrant city of Greenville, which has changed, grown, and evolved into what feels like a new city since I once lived here years ago in my youth.
This connection to “place” became the focus of my work. Greenville was not just the small town from a distant memory, but a growing metropolis with fresh color and energy. I seek to explore this connection in my paintings, a place I call home all over again, and in doing so, bring to my viewer a sense of joy and sensual pleasure of color.
The Greenville Theatre being Greenville’s oldest theatre is inextricably intertwined with the fabric and pulse of Greenville. It is appropriate to present this collection of works in the beautiful interior of this theatre, full of history, energy, and the community foundation that keeps the stories of this city alive.
The exhibition fills the lobby walls with color and life as we all seek to rebuild our cultural identity and sense of place after the long pandemic years. These times have affected all of us in one way or another and have shaped our sense of place and community in ways that we continue to understand.
All works are available for purchase by contacting fotinipaintings@gmail.com.