Ben at work, c. 1972

We have spent the summer going through dozens of paintings and drawings, sculpture and prints to bring together a wonderful 25^th anniversary celebration. Invitations will be mailed next week but I promise you that this is one you won’t want to miss:

“We’ll See You When We Do”
Celebrating 25 Years of Exhibitions at the Studio of Ben Solowey
October 7–21, 2017
Saturdays and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.
And throughout the fall and winter by appointment

We are bringing together a selection of great works from over 35 exhibitions we have presented at the Studio over the last quarter century, as well as sprinkling in a few rarely or never before seen works, all to show the astonishing versatility of Ben Solowey.

Ben’s portrait, “Rae Seated (Green Dress)” is one of the most popular paintings at the nearby James A. Michener Art Museum, and for those who love Rae, there will a collection of drawings and paintings that show how she came to represent “Woman Eternal,” in Ben’s work, according to fellow artist Albert Gold.

Imaginative Flowers
Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 in.,1924

While the garden season is winding down, inside the Studio is a veritable cornucopia of blossoms in a variety of still lifes from throughout Ben’s career. From the 1924 modernist “Imaginative Flowers” (in a special Ben Solowey handcrafted frame) to a stunning “Tulips and Lilacs” (in another gorgeous Solowey hand carved and gold leafed frame) that once hung on the walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you will see why, for the Soloweys, floral arrangements were, in Rae’s words, “a body and soul thing.” The tulips and lilacs for instance had a special significance, as they came right from the garden here, as did virtually all the still lifes Ben painted in his forty years on the farm.

Sunlit Road, Pompton, New Jersey
Oil on canvas_ 20 x 24 in., c. 1935

For those who love landscapes, this show will take you to Paris, New York, Maine and of course, right here in Bucks County. You will see, through Ben’s paintings and photographs, his studio evolve from dilapidated cow barn to the working showplace that it is today.

Eve
Plaster with stone patina. 20 in. high

We have not forgotten Ben’s love of the figure. Whether clothed or not, you will see the female form in drawings, oils, watercolors, plaster and bronze. We have a special section devoted to Ben’s sculpture that includes his hand made model stand and sculpting tools.

And for you theater lovers, don’t worry, we have assembled a starry cast of Ben’s famous “Theater Portraits” that reveal Ben as Broadway’s Holbein in the 1930s.

Please join us for our opening reception Saturday, October 7th at 1 p.m. We will continue our tradition of opening the Solowey home (c. 1765) where you will not only see Ben’s handmade furniture, inspired by visits to the American wing of the Metropolitan and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but his long trestle table will be covered in homemade baked goods made by the extended Solowey/Leopold family.

As usual, we will present a gallery talk everyday during the run of the exhibition at 2:30 filled with anecdotes and history of the works on view. On October 7^th, we will also lead a tour of the Solowey home right after the Studio gallery talk.

October 7^th promises to be a joyous occasion here, and we hope you can join us for it.