Art Exhibit of Contrasts and Extremes at Husson University

Exhibition and reception to follow the Women of the World concert on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 5 p.m. in the Gracie Theatre’s WBRC Gallery.

BANGOR, MAINE – Husson University’s Gracie Theatre announced today that it would be hosting an art exhibition by native Icelandic artist Kristbjorg Whitney on October 13, 2019, immediately following the Women of the World Concert.

Those interested in seeing this exhibition and learning more about the artist should make it a point to visit the Gracie Theatre’s WBRC Gallery. The exhibition will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with a reception and an artist meet and greet where members of the public can talk to Whitney about her work. Those who cannot attend the opening have until February 2020 to view the exhibition.

“The timing of this exhibition couldn’t be better,” said Jeri Misler, managing director of the Gracie Theatre. “The Women of the World concert that immediately precedes this opening reception features an award-winning international a cappella quartet performing original and traditional folk music in 32 languages. The addition of this exhibition by an Icelandic artist serves as a fitting conclusion to an afternoon of international culture.”

“All the paintings in this exhibit are inspired by my environment, current and past including Iceland,
particularly the east coast where I grew up exploring and roaming. The land is the foundation of this work. My world was one of contrasts and extremes. I attempt to capture the contradictory, ever-changing energy and movement in the earth: jagged peaks, endless verdant valleys, northern lights, fjords, and small villages. More than anything, my work is defined by its light and unique palette,” said Whitney.

“Although people never inhabit my paintings, the fierce independence of Iceland and its people is part of every stroke,” she said. “Every painting is about connections and the way disparate elements, like fire and ice, come together to make each other survive, and go beyond into jubilation.”

Whitney’s process is very deliberate. For weeks or months, she forms the images in her head. Only after she envisions every angle and relationship does she begin sketching. Next, the sketches are transferred to canvas or panels. After that transfer is completed, the application of paint begins.

She already has a general idea what colors she wants to work with before she begins painting. While her initial palette is always clearly envisioned before she begins painting, Whitney does sometimes make adjustments to help bring more energy to the composition. Her preferred media are acrylic and watercolors because they allow her to capture the light and color of her composition.

“The color interaction and sense of movement inherent in Krisbjorg’s work are a delight to the eye. Her repeating geometric patterns create a sense of harmony and unity that invites the viewer to a place of peace and serenity,” said Kathi Smith, MFA, an assistant professor of studio arts and art appreciation at Husson University’s College of Science and Humanities. “Krisbjorg’s work is providing our students with a fresh perspective on the artistic process. We look forward to featuring her paintings at the WBRC Gallery over the next few months.”

More about Kristbjorg Whitney

Kristbjorg Whitney was born and raised in Iceland and currently lives and works in Orono, Maine. She spends time in Iceland where she reconnects with her roots and gathers ideas and inspiration for future work. While in Iceland, she works on preliminary sketches for many of her paintings.

Whitney grew up in a family that strongly encouraged creativity. She is a Graduate of the Reykjavik School of Arts and Crafts, and continued her studies in Virginia, California and Maine.

Her work has been shown in Iceland; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Winston- Salem, North Carolina; Bangor, Trenton, Bar Harbor, Ellsworth, Augusta and Stonington, Maine.

Her work is in private collections in Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and The United States. Exhibitions by Whitney include the Gathering of Artisans and Women in the Arts in Reykjavik, Iceland; the Contemporary Crafts Exhibit sponsored by the Bangor (ME) Historical Society; Art for the Floor in Winston-Salem, NC; and Arts in the Park in Belfast, ME. She has been a featured artist at the Bangor Frameworks Showcase Gallery and participates in the annual Downtown Open House Studio Tour in Bangor. She had a one-woman show in Iceland in 2002. In addition, Whitney has taught classes in decorative painting and accepts commission work.

More about the WBRC Gallery at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre

Artists with connections to Maine who work in a variety of media are invited to be featured at the WBRC gallery. For more information on exhibitions, contact the gallery coordinator Kathi Smith at smithk@husson.edu. The WBRC Gallery at the Gracie Theatre was made possible through the generosity of WBRC Architects ▪ Engineers and John (’77) and Lynda (’03) Rohman.

The WBRC Gallery is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located in the Gracie Theatre on the campus of Husson University at One College Circle, Bangor, Maine. For additional information, contact Jeri Misler, managing director of the Gracie Theatre at 207-941-7888 or by email at gracietheatre@husson.edu.

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