The City of North Charleston’s Cultural Arts Department is pleased to announce that concurrent solo exhibitions of mixed media works by Charleston artists Lynne Riding and Yvette Dede will be on display at Park Circle Gallery from April 3-27, 2024.
A free reception hosted by the artists will be held at the gallery on Friday, April 5, from 5:00-7:00pm. The public is invited to attend.
In the Air ~2 – Mixed media works by Lynne Riding
Lynne Riding has a strong connection to the ocean, both as an artist, observing the fluctuation and effect of the elements, and as a past competitive windsurfer and sailor dealing with these same elements of nature. In her exhibit, In the Air ~2, Riding presents a collection of abstract mixed media works that stem from the place and surroundings in which she find herself; from color observed, a line seen in space, or the found object. To date, Riding has made several marine, atmosphere-based series of work, including Pritchard’s Island, SF ON, Pt. Reyes, Ocean Series, SC Ocean Paintings, and Concerning Being- Summer of 2020. “While soaking up the atmosphere, the erosion, and much layered patina of the seashore, I continue my painting process of reduction, which involves a process of decision making in what to bury and what to reveal,” she explains. Through the study of landscape, history, and the pathos, major components in her work are the issues of shifting perspectives, loss, holding, and hope, that which drives us on. “I believe that there is a validity or need for the poetic in today's world,” Riding says.
Lynne Riding received an MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, a BFA in Fashion and Textiles from Manchester College of Art, UK, and a 2 year Art Foundation from Hereford School of Art & Design, UK. Her work has been exhibited extensively throughout the country in states such as SC, CA, FL, OH, NM, AZ, and OK. Riding has also been an art educator for several years, including positions as a professor of studio art at the College of Charleston for ten years, Academic Chair of Department at the Art Institute of Charleston and, prior to moving to the USA, as a faculty member on Art Foundations at Falmouth School of Art, UK. She is currently a member of the arts faculty at Ashley Hall Foundation. Learn more about the artist at lynneriding-art.com.
Lowcountry Laurels – Mixed media works by Yvette Dede
In Yvette Dede’s exhibit, Lowcountry Laurels, the artist uses graphite, charcoal, and pastels to depict the organic form of oysters abstractly, experimenting with scale, compositional structure, and mediums. Dede’s study of oyster shells began during the pandemic. Fascinated by their sculptural form and coloration, she began drawing single shells, then later became obsessed with drawing the shell clusters. “Now, with so much practice drawing shells, I can move towards an abstraction that allows for more nuance and space for other ideas to merge and manifest,” Dede explains. More than just choice morsels, the ubiquitous shells of these bivalves serve many purposes, both decoratively and environmentally. Dede regards oysters, specifically the shells, as our Lowcountry Laurels, worth promoting sustainable practices that ensure maintaining a healthy habitat.
Yvette Dede’s art-making experience has ranged from working with stained glass, glass blowing, and glass casting to mixed media sculptures and collaborative outdoor installations. At the core of her artistic practice is drawing. Her drawings and sculptures have been displayed in exhibits and installation sites throughout the United States. Dede is a full-time Studio Art Adjunct Professor at the College of Charleston and has served as resident/visiting artist for organizations throughout South Carolina, including the Gibbes Museum of Art, the SC Botanical Garden, and the City of Charleston. Learn more about the artist at yvettedede.com.
The Park Circle Gallery is located at 4820 Jenkins Avenue in North Charleston. Admission is free and free street parking is available on Jenkins Avenue in front of the gallery, as well as on the adjacent streets and in parking lots close by. Gallery hours are 11:00am-6:00pm Wednesday-Friday, and Noon-4:00pm on Saturday. For more information about PCG, call 843-637-3565 or email culturalarts@northcharleston.
