Unraveling the Nest
by Debra Rubino
January 20 - February 22, 2009
We live in a natural world and Debra Rubino is an artist whose exploration of elemental forms has created an exquisite series of new works revealing the ultimate strength inherent to the essence of life on the planet.
The works of Unraveling the Nest are mono-prints created with the assistance of an in the Baltimore studio of master printmaker Brian Garner. To understand the technique of their creation is of lesser importance than knowing that Rubino has spent much of her artistic career developing imagery around fundamental ideas and simple forms. Her earlier photographic and print work utilized things as simple as clouds, shadows, water, stones and nests. She admits that this current work was made with much experimentation, collaboration and play using materials like Spanish moss, grasses and other organic materials, eliminating any photographic processes. The artist worked and played until she achieved what she wanted - the finest line, a rich and lush ground and the meticulous result is a rhythmic beauty and simplicity. She calls one group Accidents of Grace; grace perhaps, but there have been no accidents. The artist worked to achieve a lyrical charm of movement evoking traditional techniques such as silverpoint etching, the efficiency of line of a Dürer botanical and the direct clarity of a sure hand and a clear vision. Unraveling the Nest reminds us of the continual cycles and movements of the hours and the seasons.
Sometime the quiet and subtle speak the loudest.
Diane DiSalvo
January 2009
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2009 - Unraveling the Nest, Stevenson University
2003 - New Works, Gomez Gallery, Baltimore, Maryland
2001 - Debra Rubino & Bill Schmidt: An Exhibition of New Prints, Goya Girl Press
1999 - Etchings Galerie, Francoise E.S.F. Baltimore, Maryland
1995 - Women Entwined, Dwight Frederic Boyden Gallery, St. Mary's College of Maryland
1994 - Women Without Children: Volume I: A Book in Progress on the Wall, Gormley Gallery, College of Notre Dame, Baltimore
1992 - MFA Thesis Exhibition, Fox Gallery, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2004 - Summer Exhibitions, Galerie Francoise E.S.F. Baltimore
The Poetic Memory, Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2000 - Editions 2000, Goya Girl Press, Baltimore
1999 - More Than Paper and Ink, Villa Julie College Gallery, Stevenson, Maryland
1998 - Workshop, Prints Goya Girl Press, Baltimore
1993 - Third Annual Washington Art Book Fair, Corcoran Gallery of Art
Secret Pages, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore
1991 - Graduate Photography Exhibition, Fox Gallery, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore
Invitational Semmes, Bowen & Semmes, Baltimore, Maryland
1st Year MFA Exhibition, Decker Gallery, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore
AWARDS AND RESIDENCIES
2003, 1993 - Maryland State Arts Council Grant, Individual Artists Grant
2005, 2002 - Rochefort-en-Terre Artist Residency Program in Brittany, France
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
1994 - Keepers of Secrets & Truths Otherwise Unknown: An Exhibition of Women Book Artists, an exhibition of 20 women book artists at the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
1992 - Artists for Choice Exhibition, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, Maryland
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Etchings from photos in rich detail by John Dorsey, Baltimore Sun, December 22, 1999.
Rubino: Doin' what comes naturally by Mike Giuliano, Lifetimes, Patuxent Publishing, January 6, 1999.
Rich works redeem a jumbled theme by John Dorsey, Baltimore Sun, August 18, 1998.
Art review by John Dorsey, Baltimore Sun, October 21, 1994.
Women artists take intimate refuge in books by Edward J. Sozanski, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 16, 1994.
Bound art offers femal perspective by Pheralyn Dove, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 2, 1994.
Book as art: Exhibition focuses on women artists by Victoria Donohoe, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 2, 1994.
Endpaper: A Place of Refuge for Femal Artists, excerpt from exhibition catalogue essay, Chronicle of Higher Education, November 23, 1994.
Keepers of Secrets & Truths Otherwise Unknown: An Exhibition of Women Book Artists, artist's book catalogue of exhibition.
debra.rubino@gmail.com
All monoprints in Unraveling the Nest were created in 2008 by Debra Rubino. Works are 24" x 30 and 16" x 20" and are untitled. The works designated are from a series entitled Accidents of Grace.
The Stevenson University Exhibitions Program wishes to thank Terrie Fleckenstein Fleckenstein Gallery and Archival Framing (Baltimore), Brian Garner, Dan Meyers Photography, Franc Nunco-Quarco and Maria Phillips.