exhibition
IN THE ELEMENTS: Selections from the Kentler Flatfiles

About the exhibition

IN THE ELEMENTS: Selections from the Kentler Flatfiles
Curated by Sallie Mize

ARTISTS: Mariella Bisson, Stephanie Brody-Lederman, Miriam Brumer, Andrea Callard, Patricia Clark, Margaret Cogswell, Gail Flanery, Hidehiko Gotou, Ruth Hardinger, Meredith Hoffheins, Joanne Howard, Ralph Kiggell, Karen Kunc, Dawn Lee, Jane Lincoln, Nancy Manter, Florence Neal, Ron Netsky, Paula Overbay, Julie Peppito, Ursula Schneider, Peter Schroth, Joel Sokolov, Ilene Sunshine, April Vollmer, Wendy Walker, Ruth Wetzel, Martin Zet

November 10 – December 18, 2022
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 10, 6-8pm
Closing Reception: Sunday, December 18, 3-5pm

In the Elements: Selections from the Kentler Flatfiles features 33 drawings and prints by 28 contemporary artists. The exhibition celebrates the mystery, vibrancy and resilience of nature. Natural materials, including paper, woodblock, watercolor, graphite and charcoal, comprise the works themselves. Themes include the necessity of water, the inner life of plants, and the ways that elements shape and support one another.

The systems that govern our world are at once vast and minuscule, steadfast and fragile, ancient and ever changing. The landscape and the leaf are each complex subjects. In the Elements takes a subtle and nuanced approach to environmental advocacy in art. The works remind us of nature’s inherent value. Like Thomas Cole, 19^th century pioneer of the American landscape, each artist opens a window, lends a voice and lets their subject speak for itself. 
  The Kentler Flatfiles have been an essential element of Kentler International Drawing Space since its founding in 1990. A collection of over 2,000 artworks by 290 local, national and international artists, this living archive represents the incredible breadth and diversity found in contemporary drawings and works on paper today. Selections from the Flatfiles are regularly presented in guest-curated exhibitions at Kentler and in traveling shows.

Flatfile works are held on consignment in Kentler's showroom and are available to the public for viewing and purchase. "Focus on the Flatfiles" is a rotating selection of works on view in our front gallery space. To schedule a viewing appointment in our Flatfiles showroom or inquire about prices, please contact the gallery. The Flatfiles Digital Archive, providing full online access to the collection, was awarded an ArtWorks grant by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2015.

Kentler Flatfiles Traveling Exhibition: This exhibition was on view at the Illges Gallery, Corn Center for the Visual Arts at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia from July 22 - August 20, 2022. It was presented in conjunction with the Nature Now Film Festival.