MIX Art Gallery & Event Space
Located at 156 E. State St. (2nd Floor) -On the Ithaca Commons
Rafe Harpending & more... : "Interact with Abstract"
February’s exhibition at MIX Art Gallery showcases a new face in the local art scene. Peter “Rafe” Harpending, originally from Elmira, NY, now resides in Ithaca. With a naturally inquisitive spirit, he describes his personality as a gradient of colors from yellow and orange to red. It’s no surprise that his drawings reflect his degree in Biology, as his artistic interests focus on “living things” from various clades. While there are many detailed drawings of insects, birds, fish, and more that will be available, the highlighted works on our gallery walls will primarily be his mesmerizing abstracts.
Rafe’s influences include Mondrian, Klimt, Dali, Klee, John McLaughlin, Pollock, and Georgia O’Keeffe, among others. “I’m fascinated by the fact that humans are both ordered and biological beings! The order represented in many of my geometric pieces is juxtaposed with disruptive visual elements. This expresses an obsession with the tension between order and chaos, the notion that humans can create a thin veneer of spatial and temporal structure, but underneath lies the inevitable turbulent realm of nature.” Almost reminiscent of Native American art, these abstract pieces are both compelling and captivating, and whether on paper or simple board, they are attractively priced. “Interact with Abstract“ -a must-see in February!
Would YOU like to be a part of Ithaca’s art scene?! MIX Art Gallery is ready to heat things up in March with an OPEN CALL for our new group show entitled, “March ~ Mad ~ Lust”. Submit 1-3 works by 2/15/25 https://www.mixartgallery.com/artist-submissions/p/march-mad-lust-group-art-show-submission
