Chantell Van Erbé, Island: Swim Away…Disappear, 2002.

Transcendence

September 8 – October 20, 2019

Meet the Artist Reception: September 8th  1-3pm

Mesaros Gallery

Chantell Van Erbé: Transcendence, is an exhibition of Chantell Van Erbé’s work spanning 30 years. This selection of 28 works in ink, colored pencil and mixed media exhibits a freshness of vision, raw energy and immediacy of place, while bridging the trends of 21st Century Modernism with the new realism movement. Chantell’s art, broad in subject matter, is not the reality that she sees, but the reality that she remembers – very intense and dream-like. Her reflection of memory, prevalent in many of her paintings, elevates her work above the norm.

Artist Statement

“Painting is self-expansion; a beautifully maddening and meditative process. My technique can be best described as an approach overflowing in transition. I have little choice but submit to a higher creative vision. Art is a series of evolutions – numerous characterizations and endless connotations. Tremendous power in three letters.”

Chantell Van Erbé, is a contemporary mixed media artist, working in the genre of intuitive realism. Her method is instinctual with themes that are highly imaginative. She often employs bold colors and emotive themes in a passionate manner.

Chantell’s paintings exhibit a freshness of vision, raw energy and immediacy of place, while bridging the trends of 21^st Century Modernism with the new realism movement. Her art is not the reality that she sees, but the reality that she remembers, which is very intense and dream-like. It is her reflection of memory so prevalent in many of her paintings, which elevates her work above the norm.

Chantell also exhibits a broad interest in subject matter, always combining subject with content. As a result, the viewer is drawn to her paintings, often in a gradual way until we find ourselves entering into them. The body of work Chantell has created to date shows her goal is to discover new ways of painting while responding to the world around her and her inner world.

Winner of numerous awards, Chantell’s art career has spanned over three decades. She is an elected member of Allied Artists of America and Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Art. In 2019, her work will be featured in a book devoted to New Jersey artists by author, Tova Navarra.

Chantell Van Erbé: Process of Thought

An Essay by Gary T. Erbe

Looking back, I think fondly of my early years when my daughter Chantell would often wander into my studio, paper and crayons in hand. She would sit on the floor a few feet from my easel, gazing with much curiosity at one of my paintings in progress. Then she would begin to create her very own work of art. One of my favorite artists has always been Rembrandt van Rijn. Chantell’s mother Edny and I decided that her middle name should be Van, as a tribute to the great Dutch master. As the years slipped away, Chantell displayed a growing interest in art and, most importantly, a highly creative mind, so vital when producing thought provoking compositions.

From the beginning, she knew that she could count on me for support, guidance and encouragement. I also stressed that she should find her own path and avoid being influenced by my work or in fact any artists’ work. This would be her greatest challenge.

One important common thread we share is that she and I are completely self-taught. As a matter of fact, my only input into her creations has been to critique her work and extend my personal and honest opinion. Her preferred medium for many years has been mixed media and she has developed an independent artistic identity for herself, which in itself is a personal accomplishment.

How well I remember the very first time she exhibited her paintings. The year was 1981. Chantell was 12 years of age and the outdoor show was at Donnelly Memorial Park on Boulevard East in West New York, NJ. She sold one painting, which made her extremely happy. By 1983, she was accompanying me to The National Arts Club in New York City. I was serving on the board of Allied Artists of America, an art society founded in 1914. She would volunteer her time to help hang the many works of art for the art society’s annual exhibitions and eventually becoming an active artist member of the society. She gained valuable experience and insight into the behind the scene activity associated with group exhibitions. She was accepted into The Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club based in New York City and was honored by being listed in Who’s Who in American Art.

For me, Chantell’s paintings exhibit a freshness of vision, raw energy and immediacy of place, while bridging the trends of 21^st Century Modernism with the new realism movement. Her art is not the reality that she sees, but the reality that she remembers, which I find very intense and dream-like. It is her reflection of memory so prevalent in many of her paintings, which elevates her work above the norm.

Chantell also exhibits a broad interest in subject matter, always combining subject with content. As a result, the viewer is drawn to her paintings, often in a gradual way until we find ourselves entering into them.

The body of work Chantell has created to date shows her goal is to discover new ways of painting while responding to the world around her and her inner world.

Over the years, I have organized and curated many exhibitions, the majority being solo shows for artists, such as Henry Gasser (1909-1981) and John Grabach (1880-1981). I have also partnered with many museums and art clubs to bring to the public the work of artists with whom I believe in and support. Therefore, it is fitting for me to curate Chantell’s first major exhibition. She has worked very hard over the years. Now is the time to experience the wonderful and highly personal art of Chantell Van Erbé, my daughter.

I wish to thank Dr. Louis A. Zona, Director of The Butler Institute of American Art, for giving Chantell this important exhibition. I also want to extend my appreciation to Susan Carfano for her assistance in working out all of the details associated with this exhibition.

Chantell has proven to me that she is deeply committed to her craft. I hope that all those that have the opportunity to view this exhibition will share my enthusiasm.

I am very proud of my daughter, Chantell, and wish her many years of creating good and authentic art. I am also very curious to see where she takes her art as she continues the journey.

Gary T. Erbe

Guest Curator, President Emeritus, Allied Artists of America