14148 State Rd 75, Peñasco, New Mexico, 87553
JEAN NICHOLS
Jean Nichols was drawn to Taos county in the 1960s in search of creative freedom. Nichols remains a painter committed to values typical, not only of Northern New Mexico during this era, but also of Paris’ Left Bank in the early 20th. century. The women of the Left Bank knew that choice is an essential component of fulfillment. In renouncing social convention, they created their own lives and practiced independence in their pursuit of intellectual and artistic interests. In doing so they changed the course of art history.
Experiencing the paintings of Jean Nichols, it becomes apparent that what matters to this artist is the vitality and freshness of her work. Her nude figures are pure passion concentrated to the point of reality on paper. Always in movement, they deny the straight line. They take on a playful fluidity arising from Nichols’ intuitive approach to painting. Many things seem broken in this uncertain time. Jean Nichols’ art delights the viewer with an alternative paradigm.
Hanne Huisjes
After graduating with a masters in art at the Art Academy in Amsterdam, Hanne exhibited his work in Europe for 30 years. He's been coming to the inspiring beauty of New Mexico for years, and currently makes furniture on commission out of recycled wood, as well as assemblages made out of found materials which he calls 'useless objects'. He uses various techniques to produce unique prints.
Hanne is represented by galleries in Holland, and is in the collections of the prestigious Stedelijk Museum and Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam, Holland. For more detailed viewing, please visit Hanne's website.
Josie Kelly
Josie is a talented contemporary artist whose work has been exhibited in the Nederlands and the US. She studied art at the Art Academy in Amsterdam where she met her husband, Hanne, and now splits her time between New Mexico and Amsterdam.
Gerd BIANGA
Long-time Taos resident, Gerd Bianga, born in Germany, has created a diverse body of imaginative and unique work that reaches from sculpture and earth art into conceptual minimalism and figurative painting. Bianga also has an ardent interest in screen printing, often making images of irreverent humor that incite curiosity in the viewer. When asked why he creates art, Gerd Bianga says, “Well, I have to. It’s not only one of my greatest pleasures to create, paint, draw, sculpt or print, it is completely necessary to fulfill my hungry mind. It takes care of my soul and uplifts me to do so.” Bianga’s work pushes the boundaries of creativity. His desire is to inspire the mind and spirit with new angles and perspectives which are wholly original.
Gerd Bianga says that a few of his paintings of male and female figures are purposely erotic. Although perceptions of what is erotic in art is subjective and dependent upon its context, many people may have a visceral response to some of Bianga’s works that holds sexual voltage. Bianga explores the carnal through a stream of art that began in the Paleolithic age and moved through such early 20th century movements as Cubism, Futurism, and German Expressionism. Both the nude and the erotic nude are examined through multiple viewpoints and color, bringing these investigations forward to today.
Joel Morse Lage
Joel has lived in the Penasco area for many years, and has exhibited his work in Taos and Santa Fe galleries. He is a master at turning everyday found objects into objects with a humorous side.
