Eighteen years ago, Beck served in the Peace Corps, working in Niger. As an artist, she was drawn to the amazing abstract art forms of the Djarma and Fulani cultures. But it was only when she visited Paris and spent time studying ancient African art forms and modern abstractions, that the ideas of the two came together and took on meaning for her and for her art. Since that time, it has been a love affair with the people of Niger and the art they create. Returning to West Africa five times in the last 11 years, Beck has made a name for herself internationally exhibiting her art. Beck states: "The SubSahara is not an easy place. The landscape is the most dire." However, "it changed my life. I have learned to live simply. People are happy with nothing." Although Beck lives in Southern California, she applies what she had learned from Africa and the African people.
NIGER RPCV Gretchen Beck's collection of drawings, paintings and collage at the Sandstone Gallery is entitled "Dumi Dumi," which in the West African Djarma language means "a variety of things"
Gretchen Beck's West African art on exhibit at Sandstone Gallery
ROBERTA CARASSO
ART WAVES
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
roberta.carasso@gmail.com
Gretchen Beck's collection of drawings, paintings and collage at the Sandstone Gallery is entitled "Dumi Dumi," which in the West African Djarma language means "a variety of things." The exhibition is based on Beck's long and close association with the peoples of the Djarma and Fulani cultures.
Eighteen years ago, Beck served in the Peace Corps, working in Niger. As an artist, she was drawn to the amazing abstract art forms of the Djarma and Fulani cultures. But it was only when she visited Paris and spent time studying ancient African art forms and modern abstractions, that the ideas of the two came together and took on meaning for her and for her art.
Since that time, it has been a love affair with the people of Niger and the art they create. Returning to West Africa five times in the last 11 years, Beck has made a name for herself internationally exhibiting her art. Beck states: "The SubSahara is not an easy place. The landscape is the most dire." However, "it changed my life. I have learned to live simply. People are happy with nothing." Although Beck lives in Southern California, she applies what she had learned from Africa and the African people.
Beck considers her art her research, studying abstractions of Western and African cultures and discovering how West African art contributed to the 20th century canon. Her art involves the study of different aspects of the Nigerien landscape, and its culture.
"With this work, I portray concepts of ritual and tradition within the social structure of the Nigerien culture. I exhibit and discuss my art in galleries on a national and international level," she said.
Beck has also received faculty research grants to support her work as an artist and researcher.
For eleven years, Beck served as an art professor and the chairperson of the art department at Concordia University in Irvine. Her students were encouraged to develop distinct artistic processes through art historical and field research. Through dedication and discipline, their image making flourished.
Beck's drawings, paintings and mixed-media works have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at galleries such as the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., the UNESCO Miollis Galerie in Paris, France, the gallery at Les Deux Magots in Paris, the Cornerstone Gallery in Liverpool, England, the Contemporary Urban Centre Art Gallery in London and The Lewis Elton Gallery in Guildford, United Kingdom.
Visit Sandstone Gallery at 384 North Coast Highway #A. Information: 949-497-6775 or www.sandstonegallery.com.
Contact the writer at roberta.carasso@gmail.com.
