I just had to write about this exhibit of works by Ran Ortner before it closes on October 11th. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend swinging by to see it. I literally stumbled upon it, and felt it was truly remarkable. Though initially I thought it was a pretty uncomplicated photography exhibit, this was not the case at all. I was wrong. This is a small show of really intense works that highlight Ran Ortner’s exceptional talents as a photorealist painter.
courtesy Causey Contemporary
I write ‘really intense’ because of the paintings large-scale, field of vision format that works exquisitely to absorb you. These waves don’t just hit you they blind side you. You see, the trick (I shouldn’t really say ‘trick,’ since it’s a very purposeful and very well done technique) of these works is in the inordinate minute detail that Ortner paints, but you only notice these upon closer inspection. From across the gallery they simply look like photographs taken of natural waves. It is through this dynamic that Ortner successfully explores not only photorealism and captures the ephemeral light of the sublime, but drags you in like the undertow of the wave itself.
