Concurrent solo exhibits by James Island artists on display throughout February
The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that concurrent solo exhibitions of mixed media works by Rolf Anthony Young and paintings and drawings by Sumaya Florez will be on display at Park Circle Gallery from February 1-24, 2024. A free reception hosted by the artists will be held at the gallery on Friday, February 2, from 5:00-7:00pm. The public is invited to attend.
don’t lose hope – Mixed Media Works by Rolf Anthony Young
don’t lost hope is a deep, introspective art exhibition presented by James Island based artist Rolf Anthony Young. Throughout the last 20 years, Rolf has been working in different mediums, building a deep catalogue of abstract artworks. ”My artistic practice is built upon experimenting with materials within my artwork,” Rolf explains. “I like to test out any idea that comes to my mind. I do not limit myself. I believe any material can submit to the desire of the artist, if the artist is willing to allow the unexpected to occur.” don’t lose hope focuses on works that speak to the question: “What art does Rolf make?” The exhibition is also a call to action for those who may have “lost” their way in art making. The artist aims to inspire viewers to return to art making, or even better, encourage those who have never made art to begin creating.
Rolf Anthony Young was born in Vienna, Austria, and lived in London, New York City, Connecticut, and South Carolina as a young child. He spent his formative years in Reston, VA, and went on to study fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University where he earned a BFA in Sculpture & Extended Media. He moved to Charleston, SC, in 2002, where he used his art skills to build a professional career as a graphic designer and drafter. It was not until 2016, while living in Los Angeles, CA, that his passion for art making was reborn. After four years in LA, Rolf moved back to Charleston in 2019, and currently is invested in making art, designing apparel, and working on this event series called, This is Happening. Rolf has exhibited in Northern and Southern California; Raleigh, NC, and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. His artwork is featured in publications such as APERO, Artistonish, and Circle Quarterly Art Review Magazine. He received a 2023 Emerging Artist Grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission was also accepted into their Artist Entrepreneur Incubator workshop program. Rolf is the founder of ROLF Fashion, an apparel company, an event series called, This is Happening, and ROLF Artist Consulting, a professional consulting firm for artists. Learn more about the artist at www.lowbitlogic.com.
One Pueblo: Keys to Harmony – Paintings and Drawings by Sumaya Florez
In One Pueblo: Keys to Harmony, Sumaya Florez presents a collection of drawings and paintings that focus on a mixture of realism and magical realism, depicting environments and elements originating from her beautiful and beloved homeland of Venezuela. Her works focus on still-life and genre art that portrays people with vintage and classical components. She also explores Catholic imagery that calls to mind classical High Renaissance depictions of the Madonna and Child and Christ iconography, each with a twist that is unmistakably her own. A unique signature that is consistently found throughout Sumaya’s works is the inclusion of a key. “This key is an homage to my Guardian Angel and a unique signature,” Florez explains. Inspired by ideals of a peaceful, close-knit society, she strives to spread messages of peace, hope and joy through her art.
Originally from Maracaibo, the second largest city in Venezuela, Sumaya Florez uses her art to reminisce about the city she knew in her youth – one full of vibrance, warmth, peace, and promise, far removed from the Maracaibo that exists today due to the political unrest in Venezuela. Since childhood, she held a deep passion for all forms of art but chose to pursue her love of service, graduating first as a Medical Doctor from the University of Zulia in Venezuela and then as a Master of Public Health at the University of Miami. In 2013, Florez finally made the decision dedicate herself to the arts. She began exhibiting her paintings and drawings in 2015 and has continued to display her work in Florida and the Lowcountry ever since. View the artist’s work on Instagram @Sumaya.Florez.
The Park Circle Gallery is located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in North Charleston. Admission is free and free street parking is available on Jenkins Avenue in front of the gallery, as well as on the adjacent streets and in parking lots close by. Gallery hours are 11:00am-6:00pm Wednesday-Friday, and Noon-4:00pm on Saturday. For more information about PCG, call 843-637-3565 or email [email protected]. For information on other Cultural Arts programs and artist opportunities, visit the Arts & Culture section of the City’s website.