Western art gallery celebrates Bulgarian influenced art
Kristen Aguirre
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: The Edge
The Art Institute of Chicago. Museum of Contemporary Art. Illinois Institute of Art. Each of these are famous for housing some of the best-known artists and their expressions. Yet with these infamous names, some of the smaller galleries and artists tend to be overlooked or forgotten. The Western Illinois University Art Gallery is now showing "Bulgarian Influences" by Brett Eberhardt, assistant professor in the art department.
Eberhardt spent time in Sofia, Bulgaria, composing works based on his observations of still life, interiors and people. Sofia, known for being a center of cultural and political life in Europe, is the capital of Bulgaria. Home to five-star hotels, restaurants and iconic shopping stores, Sofia has captivated some of the most extravagant people. However, there is more to Sofia then its urban atmosphere, and that is what Eberhardt's art exposes.
His works were created over a two-month period and his exhibit debuted Aug. 25 in the University Art Gallery. His compositions consist mainly of portraits and still shots. The seven portraits he composed were created with oil paint on linen or canvas.
Titled with the name of the person painted, these portraits reflect the most powerful aspects of Bulgaria: its people. Eberhardt captures each person's persona and sets the tone through delicate brush strokes and color. Using neutral tones and a blurring effect for the background of each portrait, Eberhardt draws his audience directly to his subjects' facial expressions. Although each expression is different, somehow all look to be linked together. The dominant outlook from each person's eyes gives off a powerful aura that draws the audience in.
The second section of the exhibit includes paintings and sketches of still life shots. Eberhardt's subjects included jars, drawers, rocks, light bulbs, tape, feet and scenery of his studio, in which he worked. Each painting, done again with oil on canvas or with graphite on paper, is very detailed and looks picturesque. These shots feel less abstract than the portraits. The subjects, however, do not pull me in or keep my attention. Eberhardt used a wide range of color such as pops of lime green or subtle reds in these pieces, but neither the jars nor light bulb held my interest.
Eberhardt's overall use of the color scheme, brush strokes and his attention to detail catches the eyes of his audience. He captures the daily life in Sofia through his portraits and still shots of everyday objects and scenery.
Eberhardt spent time in Sofia, Bulgaria, composing works based on his observations of still life, interiors and people. Sofia, known for being a center of cultural and political life in Europe, is the capital of Bulgaria. Home to five-star hotels, restaurants and iconic shopping stores, Sofia has captivated some of the most extravagant people. However, there is more to Sofia then its urban atmosphere, and that is what Eberhardt's art exposes.
His works were created over a two-month period and his exhibit debuted Aug. 25 in the University Art Gallery. His compositions consist mainly of portraits and still shots. The seven portraits he composed were created with oil paint on linen or canvas.
Titled with the name of the person painted, these portraits reflect the most powerful aspects of Bulgaria: its people. Eberhardt captures each person's persona and sets the tone through delicate brush strokes and color. Using neutral tones and a blurring effect for the background of each portrait, Eberhardt draws his audience directly to his subjects' facial expressions. Although each expression is different, somehow all look to be linked together. The dominant outlook from each person's eyes gives off a powerful aura that draws the audience in.
The second section of the exhibit includes paintings and sketches of still life shots. Eberhardt's subjects included jars, drawers, rocks, light bulbs, tape, feet and scenery of his studio, in which he worked. Each painting, done again with oil on canvas or with graphite on paper, is very detailed and looks picturesque. These shots feel less abstract than the portraits. The subjects, however, do not pull me in or keep my attention. Eberhardt used a wide range of color such as pops of lime green or subtle reds in these pieces, but neither the jars nor light bulb held my interest.
Eberhardt's overall use of the color scheme, brush strokes and his attention to detail catches the eyes of his audience. He captures the daily life in Sofia through his portraits and still shots of everyday objects and scenery.
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