‘Tight Lines’ Highlights Artists Who Are Inspired by the Sea

The Grenning Gallery’s new exhibition “Tight Lines,” is a group show of contemporary paintings inspired by the lives and lore of fishermen and the sea. The show is anchored by the gallery’s newest (and youngest) artist, 26-year-old Rolf Hellem, whose upbringing in Norway influenced his works. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on March 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Born in 1998, Rolf Hellem grew up on the coast of Norway, in a small town above the Arctic Circle. He has fond memories of taking trips to Lofoten, the group of islands above Norway’s mainland, known for its tranquil natural beauty and historic fishing villages. Hellem fished with his family and would come across the local fishermen tending to their daily tasks. Hellem offers both quiet contemplation and active labor in his largest figurative compositions of the trade.

Hellem studied in the classical academic tradition for the last six years at The Chiaroscuro Atelier in Florence, Italy, which focuses on painting from direct observation and mastering structures of the human anatomy from any and all angles. Due to his training, Hellem is now able to paint figures from his imagination. All of the figures portrayed in his works are inspired by the fishermen he would see growing up, but are totally invented in his own mind. Hellem used his brother as a model to render the strained muscles of the many gripping forearms and planted feet in his painting “The Fisherman’s Fight.” The clothes were found and recorded while shopping in many thrift stores. Now that Hellem has formed this entirely original cast, he is able to tell stories with each character. Great paintings from art history were also on Hellem’s mind when conceiving “The Fisherman’s Fight, most notably from Ilya Repin’s “Barge Haulers on the Volga.”

Also on view in this show are paintings by Daniela Astone, Marc Dalessio, Terry Elkins, John Morfis and Rachel Personett.

“Tight Lines” will be on view from Saturday, March 15, through Sunday, April 20. For more information, visit grenninggallery.com. Grenning Gallery is at 26 Main Street in Sag Harbor.