Now On The Board: Ren Nae Kah, Se Jong Cho, Stephen Towns
“Ren Nae Kah born Renee Weber in Baltimore, Maryland found herself drawn to the arts at a young age. She developed a unique knack for capturing all things sacred, and has been known for bringing to light a hidden geometry that activates an ever expanding perception deep within the observer. Renee specializes in painting as well as live painting performances”
“I am a scientist by trade. I am pursuing a PhD in environmental engineering and my research concerns mitigation of water pollution in the Upper Mississippi due to modern intensive agricultural practices. I started painting seriously in the fall of 2013 when I had an epiphany that I can stretch my time by painting because every new painting is a portal to a different world and new experiences in it. I subscribe to the idea that art is a magical operation (William Burroughs). I paint because I want to share how I imagine the world around me through various scientific, engineering, and philosophical interpretations. I paint because this is an effective means of communication where ambiguity of colors and shapes allows for deeper meaning in the minds of observer through synthesis of multiple minds’ life experiences. This is a magical operation.”
“Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Stephen Towns is a mixed-media artist and muralist currently based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Towns holds a BFA in Studio Art from the University of South Carolina and is a Program Coordinator in the Office of Community Engagement at Maryland Institute School of Arts (MICA). As “post-racial” America morphs slowly into cliché, Towns’ work is deeply rooted in the reality of race and its efforts on society and more importantly the legacy of effect on Americans. For his first solo show at the trending Gallery CA in Baltimore, Maryland, Towns paints “co|patriot.” “co|patriot” is the pathway to a much hyped post-racial society. Through his new series of breathtaking portraits, Towns boldly constructs the notion that before we, Americans, can live harmoniously together, we must first see each other, invest fully in one another, socialize together in order to co-exist happily together. Before we can start to melt together, we must be co|patriots. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, Towns draws much of his visual inspiration from Medieval altar pieces, impressionist paintings, and wax cloth prints. Commenting on his work, Towns notes, “All of my work is rooted in my growing up in the Deep South. Furthermore, my much of my work is in response to the issues that have plagued African-American culture – issues such as loss of ancestral roots, slavery, class, education, skin tone, and religion. The portraits I create are not only glimpses of the sitters; they are also a reflection of myself and mirror my struggle to attain a sense of self-knowledge, self-worth, and spirituality beyond the Christian values that are often idealized in African-American culture. I want to create beauty from the hardships in life.” Towns’ work is in the City of Charleston, South Carolina’s permanent collection. His murals have been commissioned for youth organizations, schools, and churches along the Eastern Seaboard.”
