THIEWES

THIEWES

THIEWES a solo exhibition of works by GEORGE THIEWES

Bentley Gallery, Project Room Exhibition December 17, 2021 - February 12, 2022 BENTLEY GALLERY | 215 East Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 480-946-6060 | www.bentleygallery.com

In the fields of sculpture and drawing, George Thiewes creates sharp, angular work with a focus on the interaction of light and dark. That interest began in the 1990s while Thiewes was working on theatrical set designs, where he had to learn to create the illusion of space through lighting. Thiewes’ sculptures are mounted on or in the wall and painted the same color as the gallery, making them hardly noticeable, except for their cast shadows. The sculptures exist autonomously, while also defining and interacting with the surrounding space through their placement and the use of shadow. Thiewes explores shadow as a sculptural medium; specifically how the work changes throughout the course of a day as both the natural and artificial light change in intensity, temperature, and direction. The angles created by light and shadow give the appearance of folds, an illusion that Thiewes also investigates in his drawings.

Thiewes attended several colleges in the Midwest before receiving his BFA from Mankato State College and his MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. After graduate school Thiewes had a successful career as a glass artist and was part of the studio glass movement of the 1960s and 1970s before turning to sculpture in the mid-1980s. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago; Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, VA; Toledo Museum of Art; Arkansas Art Center; Rochester Institute of Technology; among others.

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George Thiewes Storm Over Nebraska charcoal and pearl paint on paper 21.25 x 52.25 x 1.5 inches, framed 6

George Thiewes Calling Elvis Anyone Home painted steel 35.75 x 27 x 9 inches

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alternate view

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George Thiewes Untitled G (diptych) charcoal on paper 15.5 x 51 x 1.5 inches each, framed 2015

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George Thiewes Untitled E (triptych) charcoal on paper 19.25 x 15 x 1.5 inches each, framed 2015

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George Thiewes Untitled 14 charcoal and pearl paint on paper 21.75 x 13.75 x 1.5 inches, framed 2020

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George Thiewes Untitled 12 charcoal and pearl paint on paper 21.75 x 13.75 x 1.5 inches, framed 2020

George Thiewes Untitled 13 charcoal and pearl paint on paper 21.75 x 13.75 x 1.5 inches, framed 2020

George Thiewes Canyon painted steel 3 x 55.5 x 3.75 inches 21

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George Thiewes Untitled 11 charcoal and pearl paint on paper 52.25 x 25.25 x 1.5 inches, framed 2020

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George Thiewes Untitled F (diptych) charcoal on paper 20 x 15.5 x 1.5 inches each, framed 2015

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George Thiewes Hwy 101 CA gouache on paper 61.25 x 39 x 1.5 inches, framed 2008

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Images courtesy of the artist and John Dowd at Clutch Photos BENTLEY GALLERY | 215 East Grant Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 480-946-6060 | www.bentleygallery.com