Fri September 16, 2016
'The Downtown Series' by Mary Stengel Bentley: Opening Reception
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Four Barrel Coffee is pleased to present The Downtown Series by Mary Stengel Bentley. In her first solo show, Bentley displays large compositions built up from thousands of individual marks on dozens of panels which come together to build abstract urban landscapes of intricate discovery. These black and white abstract landscapes are based on what our cities may look like as seen from high above. Bentley’s fascination with this aerial perspective began in 2010 while she walked the streets of San Francisco and started to wonder how she might represent or recreate in two dimensions her meandering path. She started by drawing individual marks or “steps” with black pen on a white background to recall her day’s routes. These studies led to discoveries and experiments which tie together concerns for composition, positive and negative space, city planning, organization, growth and expansion, and ultimately the development of ‘The Downtown Series.’ In this series we see the results of Bentley’s unique drawing process that she uses to unlock her subconscious and recreate her 7 years of exploring San Francisco by foot. Often these compositions recall realistic city grids, and often they have taken on a life of their own beyond the original inspiration. They always provide the viewer with an experience which changes and evolves as the viewer moves around the gallery wall.
From Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Stengel Bentley received a B.F.A from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Her work investigates pattern and geometry through abstraction and collage ideas taken from Constructivism, Surrealism and Gestalt Psychology. Join us Friday September 16 from 6-8pm for the opening reception for ‘The Downtown Series.’ Drinks will be provided and the artist will be in attendance. See more at http://www.marystengelbentley.com.
Four Barrel is a cafe and roastery that has been supporting artists with exhibitions since 2008. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Four Barrel Coffee is located at 375 Valencia Street in San Francisco, and is open daily from 7am until 8pm. Four Barrel may be reached at [email protected].
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From Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Stengel Bentley received a B.F.A from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Her work investigates pattern and geometry through abstraction and collage ideas taken from Constructivism, Surrealism and Gestalt Psychology. Join us Friday September 16 from 6-8pm for the opening reception for ‘The Downtown Series.’ Drinks will be provided and the artist will be in attendance. See more at http://www.marystengelbentley.com.
Four Barrel is a cafe and roastery that has been supporting artists with exhibitions since 2008. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Four Barrel Coffee is located at 375 Valencia Street in San Francisco, and is open daily from 7am until 8pm. Four Barrel may be reached at [email protected].
Four Barrel Coffee is pleased to present The Downtown Series by Mary Stengel Bentley. In her first solo show, Bentley displays large compositions built up from thousands of individual marks on dozens of panels which come together to build abstract urban landscapes of intricate discovery. These black and white abstract landscapes are based on what our cities may look like as seen from high above. Bentley’s fascination with this aerial perspective began in 2010 while she walked the streets of San Francisco and started to wonder how she might represent or recreate in two dimensions her meandering path. She started by drawing individual marks or “steps” with black pen on a white background to recall her day’s routes. These studies led to discoveries and experiments which tie together concerns for composition, positive and negative space, city planning, organization, growth and expansion, and ultimately the development of ‘The Downtown Series.’ In this series we see the results of Bentley’s unique drawing process that she uses to unlock her subconscious and recreate her 7 years of exploring San Francisco by foot. Often these compositions recall realistic city grids, and often they have taken on a life of their own beyond the original inspiration. They always provide the viewer with an experience which changes and evolves as the viewer moves around the gallery wall.
From Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Stengel Bentley received a B.F.A from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Her work investigates pattern and geometry through abstraction and collage ideas taken from Constructivism, Surrealism and Gestalt Psychology. Join us Friday September 16 from 6-8pm for the opening reception for ‘The Downtown Series.’ Drinks will be provided and the artist will be in attendance. See more at http://www.marystengelbentley.com.
Four Barrel is a cafe and roastery that has been supporting artists with exhibitions since 2008. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Four Barrel Coffee is located at 375 Valencia Street in San Francisco, and is open daily from 7am until 8pm. Four Barrel may be reached at [email protected].
read more
From Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Stengel Bentley received a B.F.A from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Her work investigates pattern and geometry through abstraction and collage ideas taken from Constructivism, Surrealism and Gestalt Psychology. Join us Friday September 16 from 6-8pm for the opening reception for ‘The Downtown Series.’ Drinks will be provided and the artist will be in attendance. See more at http://www.marystengelbentley.com.
Four Barrel is a cafe and roastery that has been supporting artists with exhibitions since 2008. This exhibition is free and open to the public. Four Barrel Coffee is located at 375 Valencia Street in San Francisco, and is open daily from 7am until 8pm. Four Barrel may be reached at [email protected].
show less
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375 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
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