ANDREW FAULKNER
Pastoral Light
Jan 18th — Mar 1st
540 Ramona Street
Palo Alto, CA
[Palo Alto] Pamela Walsh Gallery is pleased to present Pastoral Light, the fourth solo exhibition of new paintings by acclaimed Bay Area artist Andrew Faulkner. The exhibition opens on January 18, 2025, with an Artist Reception from 6-8pm, including an artist talk at 7 pm. Pastoral Light will remain on view through March 1, 2025.
Pastoral Light offers a vibrant, contemporary reimagining of the rural landscape, blending the timeless tranquility of nature with the bold energy of modern abstraction. Influenced by 19th-century masters such as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Thomas Cole, Faulkner interprets their classical traditions through a dynamic, abstract sensibility evocative of the more contemporary approaches of Wolf Kahn and Richard Diebenkorn. By blending these influences with his own artistic vision, Faulkner’s newest series of “light paintings” explores a fresh take on this historic genre.
“For centuries, artists have depicted pastoral landscapes as serene, idyllic spaces,” Faulkner explains. “In this series, I aim to challenge and expand that tradition by blending the timeless beauty of these scenes with the dynamic energy and complexity of today’s world. Through abstraction, unexpected colors, and bold compositions, I seek to honor this legacy while reshaping it into something uniquely contemporary.”
Characterized by a luminous palette and richly textured impasto, Faulkner’s paintings transform traditional landscapes into atmospheric spaces brimming with motion and emotion. His works juxtapose the calm of classical rural scenes with the vibrant rhythms of modernity, creating a dialogue that bridges history and innovation. Central to the exhibition is Faulkner’s signature technique, "invented color space," which reinterprets familiar forms with luminous, emotive hues, offering a fresh and personal perspective on the landscape. The result is a collection that balances respect for tradition with bold artistic exploration.
Born into a lineage of artists, designers, and architects, Andrew Faulkner grew up immersed in creativity. From a young age, he embraced the freedom of expression, celebrating the act of coloring outside the lines. "Those loose, imperfect marks became the foundation of my gestural style," he reflects.
Andrew’s work is a masterful exploration of abstract landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural interiors, where the dazzling light and vibrant palette of Northern California take center stage. His paintings often utilize what he terms "invented color space," a technique that transforms traditional compositions into atmospheric realms open to boundless interpretations. Ranging from representational landscapes to distilled abstractions of shape and color, his art continuously evolves, driven by a quest to discover the delicate intersection where color, texture, and light become the subject itself.
Educated at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Andrew’s artistic foundation is deeply rooted in the principles of color and value. Influenced by the teachings of Joseph Albers and inspired by the bold vibrancy of Matisse, the expressive geometry of Diebenkorn, and the narrative spaces of Hockney, he has honed a practice that orchestrates color and light with precision and passion.
Andrew’s paintings evoke dynamic reconstructions of his favorite landscapes—from the serene hills of Marin County to the iconic skyline of San Francisco and the far-reaching horizons encountered on his travels. His imagined spaces are rich with energy and emotion, inviting viewers to embark on their own visual journeys.A celebrated artist with a signature style that bridges the real and the imagined, Andrew Faulkner has established himself as a modern master of capturing the essence of place through an artistic lens that is uniquely his own.
Pamela Walsh Gallery, founded in 2019, is located in downtown Palo Alto, CA, in a historic building designed by Stanford architect Birge Clark in 1929. The gallery represents a diverse roster of contemporary artists and the Nathan Oliveira Estate. Committed to fostering artistic development and career advancement, the gallery has been a member of the San Francisco Art Dealers Association since 2021, with Pamela Walsh currently serving on the Board of Directors.
Pastoral Light will be on view at Pamela Walsh Gallery, located at 540 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, visit www.pamelawalshgallery.com or contact info@pamelawalshgallery.com.
PRESS INQUIRIES:
Pamela Walsh
(650) 300-6315
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