NKollectiv presents “Hot and Cold”, an art exhibition featuring gallery owner and artist Nicole Korbe with guest artist James Garnett, on view June 21-July 14, 2024, at 960 Santa Fe Drive. In the most literal sense, the title refers to the mediums and techniques in which they work, while the pieces themselves imply a broader significance to the theme. Korbe’s abstract impressionist works utilize hot (encaustic) and cold wax mediums, while Garnett’s clay creations are fired with the heat of both a gas kiln and, in the case of his Raku pieces, direct flame.
The public is invited to an Opening Reception on June 21, 6–9 p.m., during the Art District on Santa Fe’s Third Friday Collector’s Night art walk. Other district-wide events during the exhibition include the Sundays on Santa Fe Art Walk on June 30, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and the First Friday Art Walk on July 5, 5-9 p.m. Regular gallery hours are listed below and at www.nkollectiv.com.
Korbe’s paintings are built from many layers of combined wax and pigment. Working with palette knives and other tools, she adds and scrapes away as the layers build, resulting in a highly textured appearance. “My collection for this exhibition is inspired by cities, a common theme of my early paintings, and one that I enjoy returning to after focusing more on natural landscape imagery or pure abstraction.” Says Korbe. “Some of the imagery in my cityscapes has a slight apocalyptic quality, which reminds me of the tenuous relationship between human civilization and the planet. Ever-increasing extreme heat and cold climate events will ultimately impact our ability to thrive in our communities where we have attempted our most concentrated domination over nature.” Her urban landscapes are not based on any particular city, but instead come to be through an intuitive process.
To Garnett, his Raku-fired house-shaped pieces represent safety from the outside, comfort within, and opportunity to create. “Having ‘come through the fire’” He says, referring to the rapid exposure of each piece to extreme heat and then being cooled with water, “is a symbol of strength, stability, and endurance. “Each house is unique in its size, surface, and color and is representative of us, and a testament to our continued presence just as we are.”
Korbe and Garnett have been colleagues and friends since 2017 when Korbe joined Artists on Santa Fe Gallery where she remained a member until opening NKollectiv down the street, and where Garnett remains an integral member. “James has been a huge part of my journey,” She said, “I am so honored that he and his beautiful work is part of this exhibition.”