Peter Plamondon must be happy. Not only is he an extremely accomplished artist, but his work shows no sign of mental anguish like so much post-20th century art does.
Plamondon's work is too controlled and exact to warrant insanity, and I highly doubt that he will cut off his ear any time soon. Like the work of many still-life artists, Plamondon, whose work is currently on exhibit at the Chase Gallery on Newbury Street, paints with the high level of formal art education and natural skill that are required to render objects in such a photograph-like quality.
Plamondon studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and at Boston University's School of Fine Arts. He is one of the Northeast's most accomplished artists, having displayed his work in almost 40 exhibitions in the past thirty years. Nearly half of these exhibitions were in Boston, Worcester, and other nearby cities and towns.
Plamondon's work consists solely of still life paintings done in acrylic on canvas. Such paintings show a remarkable uniqueness despite Plamondon's strange, narrow choice of subject: dishware. His representations range from decorated china dishes to white china dishes to terracotta pots, and many of the paintings are gigantic - several feet in height. Though some of his older works display vibrant backgrounds of stripes or checkers, most of his current work at the Chase Gallery is set against solid backgrounds of soft colors.
The painting Blue &White is a typical example of Plamondon's style. In this work, he has painted nine ceramic pots and plates against a mint green and white striped background. The china is intricately designed and meticulously painted. The objects cast subtle shadows that Plamondon renders perfectly into the composition. He paints detail amazingly well, and from a distance, Blue & White looks more like a photo than a painting. His brush strokes are barely noticeable, adding to the complexity of his work.
Plamondon's work is also astounding in its technical brilliance. Not only can he paint photo-quality details, but he can set white dishes against a white background and still retain clarity within the painting. Each of his pieces has a general color theme -be it white or purple- which creates a cohesive sense of stability. But such constancy often becomes a little boring, even when he uses extensive color.
Although beautiful, these paintings seem to be more of a formal experiment in detail than an artist's emotional expression. Van Gogh and other great artists have shown that still life painting can have an element of depth and interpretation, but Plamondon's still lifes lack the introspective view most artists thrive on. There is little for a person to relate to in his paintings, as very few people feel as stable as Plamondon's work. But they are aesthetically pleasing -perfect for hanging in an apartment or house.
The Chase Gallery also has a few leftover paintings from Treacy Ziegler's exhibition that was shown in November and December. These five or six paintings offer a nice break from the beautiful monotony of Plamondon's intricate dishware. Ziegler works with etching and collograph printing, and her pieces consist of scenes containing houses and landscapes. Juxtaposing black mountains with vibrantly colored skies, her work gives a feeling of uneasiness and loneliness - very much the opposite effect of Plamondon's.
It is a wonderful coincidence that these two artists are being shown together because they cater to totally different audiences: Plamondon focuses on superficial beauty while Ziegler takes an introspective and emotional approach. Showing the two artists next to each other allows the viewer to compare and contrast different styles, something that is not always available in small galleries.
Although Plamondon's paintings lack deeper feeling, they are of remarkable technical skill. His use of subtle color and detail is beyond many artists' ability. For someone looking to find an accent piece for his or her bedroom or living room, look no further: Plamondon's work will blend in well with a domestic environment and can be a great conversation piece. However, if one desires a moodier, more intense piece, Treacy Ziegler may offer an answer. Either way, The Chase Gallery should provide any art enthusiast with the exposure of two very accomplished artists.
The Chase Gallery is located at 129 Newbury street. It is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Call 617-859-7222 for further details.
