Artist Statement
I work primarily as a painter in oil, but also work two dimensionally in collage/mixed media and three dimensionally in ceramics and papier-mâché. When painting and when working three dimensionally, my work is mostly representational. Collage/mixed media work is largely non-representational. I enjoy going between the three freely based on which one fits what I want to say at a given time. Regardless of the medium, all share the same intention of portraying things which are more than they superficially seem. I want to suggest a story, show a certain light, a moment, a mood, a shared memory. I take my own reference photos. These are images which said something to me.
I like to work in multiples and within themed series as this allows me to more fully explore aspects of a subject or theme. In the past – and continuing – this has included a focus on local foods and food providers, such as produce stands and fish markets, as this gives me a way to speak about food as an expression of region and culture. Recent animal paintings include some of the earliest breeds brought to the Americas, but I am playing with other aspects such as the joy of a hog wallowing in the mud on a hot day or goats taking a sunbath in the sandy dust of eastern NC. A painting of a Devon Red cow becomes a nod to 19th century paintings of prize winning animals.
I enjoy invoking references to art history and am currently working on a new series of still life’s inspired by the work of Fede Galizia, a Renaissance female painter.
About the Artist
Angela Rowe is a native of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. Although she grew up drawing and making objects, she took other career paths, working an architectural historian, in arts administration, and managing high complexity global projects for IBM.
Since 2013 Angela has focused on making art, maintaining a studio practice at ACME Art Studios since 2014. She received an AFA in Visual Art from Cape Fear Community College In May 2018.
Primarily a painter, she also works in mixed media, print making and ceramics.
