{9} THE GALLERY PRESENTS CATHY STARK: “STILL, LIFE” FOR JANUARY FIRST FRIDAY

Phoenix, AZ, December 27, 2019 – {9} presents "Cathy Stark: Still, Life", opening First Friday, January 3rd, 2019, 6-10 PM at {9} The Gallery, 1229 Grand Avenue, Phoenix. Still, Life is Stark’s visual representation of contrast – the splendor of our world as seen in flowers, fruit and feminine beauty alongside one that is overwhelmingly complex and noisy. Stark believes that our own personal narratives often blind us from truly encountering the magnificence around us.

“My paintings are familiar yet not, inspired by life and nature. By using color and scale next to complexity and chaos, one can begin to put the noise of the outside world aside, allowing for the space to hear one’s inner voice. Pieces of torn paper, bright colors, patterns, deliberate brushstrokes and hidden faces create texture and the “background” of the noise we all live with. All of these hidden elements leave the viewer in charge of how they interpret the dichotomy of the world in which we live”. – Cathy Stark

Born in New York, Cathy Stark went on to pursue her BFA from the Design School at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut and to study art at the Academy of Fine Art in Rome, Italy. This intersection of antiquity and contemporary art helped feed her fascination with texture, color and their re-creation in a variety of forms.

“My art is a visual expression of my creative journey through this life. Through my brushstrokes, I combine my many interests and professional experiences into an outpouring of color, texture and design. I find myself expressing a life that is complicated, rich, and yet one filled with gratitude from a place of inner stillness”. – Cathy Stark

Professionally, Stark has brought all of this together in the fields of fabric design, graphic design, arts education and interior design.

“The principles of good design are the same principles of good art. By mixing pieces of paper, tactile materials and design elements to my paintings I create a dimensional aspect to the canvas. Texture and a decorative element all play and intricate part in my work. My goal is not to create “pretty”, but instead, to produce pieces that work in harmony with all these elements”. – Cathy Stark

Cathy Stark currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona and is drawn to its contrasts – from city to the desert. These influences are the palette with which she creates her art, a personal expression full of contrast in color, texture and medium.

"Cathy Stark: Still, Life" will be on exhibit through the month of January at {9} The Gallery.

{9} The Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Phoenix’s Historic Grand Avenue District. Founded in 2012, the gallery is committed to showing local, national, and international artists of the highest quality. {9} also incorporates music, poetry, and fashion to create an overall creative environment for self-expression in the downtown Phoenix area. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and by appointment by calling (480) 454-5929.

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For more information, please contact Carrie Beth McGarry at (480) 454-5929 or by email at [email protected].