Sylvia Angeli’s
luscious, over-sized still life paintings of fruit exude a mystery and
sensuality that are truly captivating. She’s explored the subject
matter for over ten years, and is still intrigued with its visual possibilities.
The palette she works with weaves its way from one canvas to the next
as she creates paintings that are provocative and earthy.
Fruit is a very sensual subject matter, carrying metaphors for the feminine and
the masculine; each type of fruit carries a symbol within itself. Lemons, for
Sylvia, represent hope; pomegranates are symbolic of fertility; pears signify
woman.
Love of travel permeates Sylvia’s work, and her inspiration draws
on her extensive explorations of Africa, Belize, Canada, Europe, Mexico
and much of
the United States. During her frequent travels to Europe, she haunts the contemporary
art galleries and museums to soak up the influences of other artists. Travel,
to Sylvia, is good for the soul, with its romance, its cuisine, and its moods.
Sylvia has studied at Sam Houston State, Rice University, and the prestigious
Glassel School of Art in Houston. Her love for Europe—France and Italy
in particular—drew her to Les Illusiones School, in Les Cerquex, France,
where she studied with New York artist Ted Jacobs. This portion of her education
deepened her passion for the traditions of the Old Masters. Since she was painting
every day, often plein air, and soaking up the knowledge of fellow students
and instructors, it is not surprising that chiaroscuro would find its way into
her
distinctive style.
All of these inspirations find their way onto the canvases in a shimmering
dance of thin oil glazes that seem to be lit from within, giving substance
and depth
through a strata of intentionally manipulated plaster-like texture. Rich and
luminous, bold and imaginative, subtle and mysterious—Sylvia creates
works that are off of this and more.
Sylvia’s work is shown in galleries around Texas, California,
Hawaii, Illinois, and Nevada.
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