Bonnie Levinson, a multi-disciplinary artist, seamlessly weaves her passion for various artistic forms into a vibrant tapestry of creativity. Her work encompasses painting, collage, printmaking, media, and multi-image photography, reflecting a profound connection between place and the enigmatic realms of the subconscious. With a palette that transforms with changing environments, Levinson’s art is a sensory journey, capturing the essence of colors, light, and smells experienced during her creative process.
The artist’s recent solo exhibition at the Roxbury Abbey in the Catskills marked a significant milestone in her career. The former Abbey, consecrated in 1925, provided a unique backdrop for 49 pieces of art. Towering stained glass windows, dating back to its consecration, created a fascinating interplay of color and light that resonated with Levinson’s paintings. The exhibition, titled “Metanoia,” encapsulated the essence of consciously changing one’s mind, expanding it to embrace a new perspective, ultimately turning towards the light.
Levinson’s artistic philosophy is beautifully articulated in her own words: “My work is a balance between control and accident.” This delicate equilibrium is evident in pieces like “The Emergence of an Idea,” a mixed-media collage on canvas, and “The Color of Light,” an acrylic on canvas. Both pieces, measuring 36”x36”, showcase the artist’s ability to navigate the fine line between intentionality and spontaneity.
One of Levinson’s standout works, “Bridge to Sardinia,” is a captivating collage featuring mica sheets, painted paper, and acrylic on canvas. This piece, too, adheres to the 36”x36” format, a deliberate choice by the artist that adds a sense of cohesion to her body of work. Levinson’s exploration of diverse materials and techniques adds layers of complexity to her art, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a world where boundaries between different mediums blur.
Kevin Moore, the curator of the Metanoia exhibition, provides valuable insight into Levinson’s artistic approach. He notes that her work operates at the intersection of physical sensation and individual subjectivity. By blending painting, photography, and collage, Levinson achieves a distinct form of visual abstraction that filters impressions of specific natural environments through various emotional states. The result is a body of work that ranges from buoyant optimism to turbulent resolve, reflecting the artist’s nuanced engagement with the world.
Levinson’s current exhibition at the Arts Warehouse, running through January 20, 2024, showcases the continued evolution of her artistic expression. The inclusion of “The Emergence of an Idea” in the Metanoia exhibition this summer reinforces the thematic undercurrents of transformation and illumination prevalent in her work. The title itself encapsulates the essence of the artistic process—an idea unfolding, emerging into the realm of conscious expression.
Contact info:
Website: www.bonnielevinson.com
IG: @bonnielevinsonarts
