The White Room Transformed in ‘Metamorphosis’

The White Room Gallery in East Hampton presents “Metamorphosis,” a show featuring work by Sara Conca and Patrick Schmidt running April 4 to May 19. The show opens with a reception on Saturday, April 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.

“Change is often feared but what if it were channeled into an intriguing alchemy where components delightfully come together to create an unimagined whole,” write the show’s curators, gallery owners Andrea McCafferty and Kat O’Neill in a statement. “Welcome to ‘Metamorphosis,’ our first exhibit of spring. Abstract painter Sara Conca brings mystical aquatic mixed media circles and squares to life with a luminous summation of artistic hues, silver dust, 18k gold leafing, raw color pigments, mica flakes, and natural crystals. Conca worked tirelessly to arrive at her instinctual style of painting, but being a descendant of Sebastiano Conca, whose work is on permanent exhibition at the Louvre, The Getty and in venerable museum collections throughout the world has served as a nice provenance of inspiration.

“Geometric abstract painter Patrick Schmidt has studied color and its effects for years believing in its timeless power as a catalyst for change and his inimitable creations entrance and enthrall as a result of his introspection,” they continue. “Schmidt takes the viewer on a labyrinth of vital twists and turns exploring concepts of new order and crossroads with a neon-esque palette that says ‘Tada!”

This exhibit is also the premiere of The Black Room within The White Room Gallery with a solo exhibit of work by Punk Me Tender, a French street artist whose brightly colored work explores themes of love, beauty, sensuality, and desire. At 18 he was introduced to street art by fellow artist, Mr. Brainwash. The pair worked together creating art for over 15 years. Today, Punk Me Tender’s work melds techniques of street art, graffiti, photography and fashion.

“‘Metamorphosis’ to us is not just about change, it’s about worlds within worlds. Continual evolution,” the curators said. “If The White Room is a tabula rasa or in this case a blank canvas, then The Black Room is exactly the same. A blank canvas where we bring one artist to fruition, completely immersing the viewer in the artist’s vision.”

Other artists with work on view in this show are: Joe Stefanelli, Bob Tabor, Alison Seiffer, Michael Lotenero and others. The gallery’s permanent collection artists include: Russell Young, Nelson De La Nuez, Craig Alan, Markus Klinko and Greg Lotus.

The White Room Gallery is at 3 Railroad Avenue in East Hampton. For more information, visit thewhiteroom.gallery.