Delaware Artist Profile: Kevin Bielicki

The first thing you notice when you enter Kevin Bielicki's Shipley Lofts studio-slash-apartment in downtown Wilmington is the upside-down bonsai. Of course, it's not just an inverted tiny tree, it's a sculpture called "Liminality," part of a series of works using natural bonsai trees juxtaposed with other media such as steel. Just as the piece incorporates the natural beauty of the tree and industrial steel and screws, the series incorporates his art with his horticultural work with The Kennett Collection Bonsai Garden, and will be featured in an exhibition at the Brick Lane Gallery in London this November.

"Liminality" by Kevin Bielicki

Bielicki, a DCAD graduate with a BFA from the University of Delaware, moved into Shipley Lofts three years ago, during his final year at UD. Chances are, if you live in New Castle County, you've seen his work, in the Delaware Art Museum's Centennial Exhibit or on display at the English Language Institute in Newark (you can't miss it -- it's a 19-foot tall bright red piece from his Coral Reef series; a "mini" version that stands about six feet high is on display in his living room).

Another series -- the one that DAM featured -- is the three-dimensional "Rings" series that transforms tree rings into swirled visual illusions that play with light and shadow.

"Rings" by Kevin Bielicki

If you're sensing a recurring nature theme, it will come as no surprise that Bielicki's next Delaware show, opening Friday, August 2, will be at The Delaware Center for Horticulture in Trolley Square. The show, "Connections and Investigations," also features Jeffrey Long, and will explore the connection between the beauty of the natural world and modern humanity.

"Rings" by Kevin Bielicki

Meet the artists and experience "Connections and Investigations" from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at the DHC on Friday, August 2, as part of Wilmington's Art on the Town.

The Delaware Center for Horticulture
1810 North Dupont Street 
Wilmington, DE 19806-3308 
658-6262

New Voices on the Wilmington Loop

Since he was one of the first artists to join our readers when we started the blog last year, I hastened to Urban Avenue at 221 Market to see Life of a Hip Hop Photographer: Andre’ Wright. Wright was greeting all comers, young and old, who walked in to the clothing shop where he had his exhibit and portfolios. Wright is young and has already been working as a photographer for magazines like Corner Store, YRB, Format, XXL, Floss, Nubuzz Photo. He is an enterprising artist with an edgy technique who shows the harsh cityscape as well as its soft beauty. He has already photographed some famous hip-hop stars. When you meet young talent and energy like that which Andre’ exudes, you know you have met a man with a future in the Arts!

To see his online portfolio, visit http://www.coloroflifephotography.blogspot.com

Another exciting discovery was three potters who have created beautiful cool-color glazes for pots, bowls and mugs which were on display at the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s Trolley Bazaar. Jerry Jennings was not there as Linda West and Rachel Bevis manned their table, when I dropped by to ask them about their website and where they sold pottery. Surprised at my question, they explained that they were taking a pottery course at the Delaware Art Museum and didn’t sell pottery anywhere. They should be giving some courses! I quickly fetched them a brochure about Delaware by Hand and hope they join so we can all buy their beautiful work. Shall we call them Potters Three? Tre Ceramiche? Pictured below: Rachel Bevis and Linda West.

And last, but not least, I paid a visit to the most reluctant artist of them all. John Kurtz decided when he hit 65 that he could pull his paintings out from under sofas and behind bookshelves and display them. Yes, the well-established rug man (JD Kurtz/New Moon Rugs) is really an artist who has studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence and served as a combat artist in Viet Nam. I preferred his wilder, satirical works to those which reminded me of fauvists and Eric Hopper. He has neither titles nor prices nor does he want to display or sell any of it. How reluctant can you be?

I named one of Kurtz’ paintings which really captured my imagination "The Italian Family". A big father figure in red, a stiff uncle in a suit, the belittled father figure all rounded out by a Madonna figure in a gauzy gown. When I told Kurtz the title I had chosen, he said that people see what they want to see. We will if you let us, Mr. Kurtz!