Artist Robyn Bellospirito wanted to challenge the still life’s concept. Her diorama ‘The Still and the Lifeless’ sat on a gallery table. It features two wooden chairs, an endless tile floor, and a melting silhouette. In a hiking chair, Bellospirito answered questions about her iconic work.
On January 22, artist Robyn Bellospirito presented her ‘Delphic Squares’ series. Speculative pieces ranged from 1996 to 2022. Huntington’s The Gallery @ studio hosted the Artist’s Reception. Refreshments included Hershey’s chocolate, champagne, and sparkling cider. Bellospirito spoke about her work and signed copies of her art books. Her abstract art incited viewers of various ages.
Formed in 2020, the woman-owned The Gallery @ showcased emerging and established artists. Talented tattoo artist and owner Brittany Ziems created an accessible art gallery with an urban vibe. She hoped to merge the tattoo and fine art worlds. All people can enter the gallery for free. Bellospirito’s art sported price tags starting at $1,000.
In her artistic process, Bellospirito started by cleaning the canvas. Then, she painted with brown umber. She always plays music of varying genres. With paint brushes, she visualized what she felt on canvases. When asked to expand, she said, “I just go. Whatever feels right to me, that’s what I bring out.”
Bellospirito identified overarching themes. As a younger artist, she created a series of gods, goddesses, and queens. Much of her work involves spiritual components, floating heads, and cities. “My most recent theme is circles,” Bellospirito continued. Many of the exhibit’s pieces feature spherical designs.
‘Broken Open: Woman Born’ (2013, oil on canvas) depicted an abstract, nude woman. The figure held a seashell. Floating heads lingered beneath her feet. Bellospirito applied spheres to the woman’s breasts, head, and legs. A circular rock lays below her right leg. Bellospirito used a beige color palette.
‘Above the Forest’ (2022, oil and granite on canvas) featured another circular shape. Bellospirito depicted a bright sun. Interestingly, the piece sported no forest. The sun filled the entire canvas, far beyond the dark green outline. Within this piece, Bellospirito found “ the light in the dark.” She applied this motif to serious issues.
The painting ‘Let Us Speak for Them’ (2020) discussed animal rights. The piece started with unintentional brown lines. She thought about a pivotal Facebook conversation. In the interaction, a user suggested that Bellospirito cares too much about animals. She replied back with the simple phrase, “they need us to speak for them.” Other pieces involve difficult skills.
She identifies ‘Gold Infinity’ (2019, oil on canvas) as her most ambitious piece. The piece started out upside down. She did not know how to complete the piece. As a solution, she put on emotionally-appropriate music and picked up her paint brush. She used a lot of brown umber paint to complete the piece. “It was transformational,” she explains.
Ziems identified the gallery’s biggest goal in connection to community. She said, “There’s not much of a communal space on Long Island. I’m trying to find a middle ground.” Gallery artist Brigette Box referred to the gallery as a “creative environment and safe space.”
