The Letter

The Studio of Ben Solowey is pleased to announce a new exhibition, THE FOLDING IMAGE: The Interesting Life of a Painted Screen, featuring a 1930 folding screen by Ben Solowey (1900 – 1978), and including paintings, drawings, and photographs that inspired it and works it was featured in. The exhibition will open to the public on Saturday September 27th at the Solowey Studio in Bedminster, PA with a reception from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The installation will continue Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., through October 19, 2008.

Ben Solowey’s talent continues to reveal itself. Acknowledged as one of the region’s great painters and sculptors, his hand crafted frames have been featured in museum exhibitions; his studio which he designed and created remains the envy of artists; and his handmade furniture that fills his home and studio continues to delight visitors. “Add a Japanese folding screen to the list,” says David Leopold, The Director of the Studio of Ben Solowey. “This object is unlike anything else in his body of work both in conception and style, yet is also quintessential Solowey in that it speak both to his artist and craftsman sides, as well as his deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western art. We are thrilled to show this work for the very first time.”

THE FOLDING IMAGE: The Interesting Life of a Painted Screen is the first exhibition to feature this unique six foot high, almost eight foot long folding screen. The exhibition also includes many never before exhibited paintings, drawings, and photographs of Casco Bay, Maine which served as the inspiration for the folding screen. “It is a relatively unknown period of Ben’s work,” says Leopold, “but it had a special resonance for Ben and his wife Rae, because that is where they spent their month-long honeymoon in 1930.” In addition there are works that feature the folding screen. “these work date from the early 1930s and reveal an intimate view of the Soloweys.”
“The screen makes a cameo appearance in what is now one of Ben’s best known works Rae Seated (Green Dress) at the Michener Art Museum,” writes Leopold in an accompanying essay. “On the left margin of the work, a strip of the screen can be seen running from top to bottom.” Macquettes for other screens will also be on view
“With our Second Studio devoted to the folding screen,” says Leopold, “Ben’s main studio will feature a new installation of Solowey oil paintings, drawings, and sculpture.”