carlagoldberg
The play of light seen behind a transparent surface is a theme that runs through all of my work. My imagery centers around the Hudson River landscape and alludes to evolution as if they were pieces of archeology.
Liquid Rhythm-The art of Carla Goldberg
Quoted from DEAN POLING The Valdosta Daily Times on the series SOUNDINGS
"Liquid rhythm flows and coils through the canvases of artist Carla Goldberg. Through textured use of numerous materials and media, there is depth lingering under the tides of her colors."
"The colors are dynamic but how does she gather all of that texture?"
My paintings evolve in multiple layers using pieces of found,
reclaimed or re-purposed materials. A few examples: found bugs, miss-mixed latex house paint, candy boxes and beads embedded in layers
of resin. Anything I find interesting or unusual is fair game.
For me,
resin is a metaphor for water. The layering of materials in resin is
meant to make you feel as if you were seeing through water. Textures,
cracks and other patinas are an important facet of my work and give the
pieces a sort of history or story for the viewer to create. These
paintings are like little bits of archeology digging through the layers
of the past.
In Goldberg's newest work- "Bodice Of The Goddess-The Secret Life Of The Hudson River"series-there is still a continuation of the play of light and layering
of recycled materials.
What we as humans perceive is not the true intentions of the
Goddesses, for Goddesses do as they please and play with all the
elements as mere toys just for their own pleasures...
The
way artist Carla Goldberg sees it, River Goddess lore has us believe
that it is temperamental female whims, sometimes peaceful or fun loving
and sometimes angry or lustful, responsible for the constantly changing
waves and sudden and glorious storms that brew over the Hudson.
In her newest series of mixed media paintings, “Bodice Of The
Goddess- the Secret Life of the Hudson River”, Carla Goldberg gives
liberal license to the stories behind the histories, myths and legends
of the Hudson River exploring the playful and vengeful sides of the
River Goddesses of the Hudson. It is the interaction of Goddess
affections and jealousies, in play with Earth, water and the human
world that puts the viewer as witness to the radical weather phenomena
unveiling before their eyes. Even Kipsy, the Hudson River’s own
mythical version of the Loch Ness monster is a mere playmate for the
River Goddesses. Kipsy enjoys a game of playing ball with a Goddess’
head, creating surging waves in her wake. It is the Goddesses female
torsos under the watery depth of the river that form the peeks and
valleys of the underwater terrain. If you’ve ever wondered why a ship
sinks or a sailor falls overboard, blame it on a temperamental Goddess.
It is said that the Goddesses are responsible for the waves in the
river, the underwater turmoil, the current and direction of water flow
as well as the gathering of storm clouds and raging winds. Anger them
and they can be vengeful. Humor them and gentle ripples come from their
laughter. In the winter, they sleep, but if they get too cold, take
care they don’t start shivering. This is the breaking of the ice
sheets. Many a ship has gone down to the silty bottom to rest forever
on the belly of the Goddess, forever hers. The only visitors are the
crabs seeking some treasure.
Some of the stories and legends I
reference in my work are based mostly in truth with history revising
them over generations. Others begin with a geographical region or
physical or weather related phenomena as the starting point but end
with a playful twist from my own imagination or that of writer, artist
and puppeteer Cabot Parsons of Beacon, NY. The two of us have a great
time pondering the antics of these saucy and selfish Goddesses.