"Fragments Remnants Leftovers," An Architectural Study at Matteawan Gallery

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Building up and across is booming all around us in Beacon, making the most recent show at Matteawan Gallery all the more relevant. Björn Meyer-Ebrecht, born in Germany, was the debut artist for Matteawan Gallery back when it opened in 2013, and he has returned for this show that runs through November 5, with a reception on October's Second Saturday.

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"The title of the show, Fragments Remnants Leftovers," says the gallery's owner Karlyn Benson, "refers to the end of major cultural and political eras, such as modernism or the Cold War. Meyer-Ebrecht’s drawings approach architecture solely as material. As artifact this material carries over historic knowledge into our present time and the specific place of the gallery."

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To illustrate this, the artist has built a wall in the middle of the gallery, dividing the room into two spaces, connected by a passageway. The back of the wall reveals its structure and consists of unpainted wood, Masonite panels and metal studs. "Meyer-Ebrecht sees this work as both an abstract painting and as a utilitarian object," says Karlyn. "As the viewer passes from one side to the other, the painting reveals itself as functional architecture: as a room divider. The shapes painted on the wall refer to geometric abstract painting, flags, political symbols, billboards, and film or theater sets."

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Meyer-Ebrecht’s ink drawings are made on separate sheets of paper joined with transparent tape. The construction of the drawings relates to the building processes they illustrate, but it is also a device to bring the drawing out of the illusionistic into the actual space. Colored ink is applied over some of the black-and-white drawings, creating a layer of artifice and what the artist describes as “looking at history through the proverbial rose-colored glasses."

Experience the wall in its final form and the art meshed into one gallery, on weekends or by appointment. For more information, contact Karlyn Benson at info@matteawan.com or (845) 440-7901.