INGRAM GALLERY

Autumn 2023

Greetings!

Short ride in a fast machine is an exhibition of magnetic paintings by the revered Rachel Berman (1946-2014). The newly available collection explores the energy of the artist’s vision and depths of textuality woven throughout her works.

Moving from watercolour and graphite studies toward large-scale oils on birch panel, Short ride in a fast machine highlights the cultivated process behind one of the most cherished figures in contemporary art.

Join us to share in the event at the gallery’s open house on on Saturday, October 28 from 1pm to 3pm.

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

no. 2: The sky's far dome is sane and clear - oil on cradled birch panel, 60 x 60 inches

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

Short ride in a fast machine

October 28 - November 16

Open House: Saturday, October 28 from 1pm to 3pm

In a fluid state of creating and research for later creation, Rachel Berman epitomizes the notion of “the artist’s artist.” Press articles note how she lived a humble and nearly ‘monastic’ existence in a life that was centred around paint and the act of painting.

Unfazed by the fluttering of contemporary culture, Berman was often seen in public sketching figures and architecture, transporting large canvases, and developing valued relationships with everyone in her proximity. It is in her relationships with people from all walks of life that she would find many of the subjects and sitters for her poignant visions of the human condition laid bare.

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

"But is it art?" (Edith, Rosedale), 2010 - oil & charcoal on roofing copper, 7.5 x 6 inches

In her childhood, Rachel Berman had been adopted and raised in Louisiana under the name Susan King. It was here that she would become drawn to marginalized and undercounted figures in society – affinities that can be felt throughout the course of the artist’s works. It wasn’t until much later in life that she would uncover details of her family history before reclaiming her birth name, Rachel Berman.

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

Study for "Sea Shanties, Sort Of" (High Tea, Empress Hotel, Victoria), 2009 - graphite, oil, coloured crayon, 7.75 x 8.75 inches

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

2nd Study for "Schola Cantorum" N.Y. City | Veselka Restaurant 144 2nd Ave, 2003 - oil, graphite, beeswax, 9 x 12.75 inches

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

- Franz Kafka

This revelatory period and the years that follow would see a resolute strengthening of the artist’s expansive vision and drive, fusing significant moments of the past into new forms of expression and insight. Berman’s approach to art making would leave a series of hidden meanings from our collective past that are a treat to uncover, communicating directly with the histories of art, music, philosophy, and literature.

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

Study for In the future Perfect (Figment from the Real World), 2002 - graphite & oil, 8 x 10 inches

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

Because, Time Passes (uncertain endings) Study for 4 Men St. Christopher House (Bathurst and Queen St. W.), 2003 - graphite & oil, 5 x 8.25 inches

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

VERSO: Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer (Antiques Room - AGO), 2010

We can see an example of her communicating through the humanities in the title of Mi-HINeEYesHEV, alluding to the imprisoned Ezra Pound who himself is alluding to author Julia Ward Howe and the American abolitionist anthem Battle Hymn of the Republic: “Mine eyes have seen the glory… Glory, Glory Hallelujah.” Much like Rachel Berman as a person, the magnetic vitality of her paintings bring engaging contemplation as they explore profound facets of existence.

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

no. 7: Mi-HINeEyesHEV, 2006 - oil on cradled birch panel, 60 x 60 inches

Share in the gallery’s open house celebration for Short ride in a fast machine on Saturday, October 28 from 1pm to 3pm! The exhibition runs until November 16 and please contact us for a catalogue of works with full details.

Tarah Aylward

Ingram Gallery Inc.

24 Hazelton Avenue

Toronto

416-929-2220

X: @TorontoART

For the Love of Art | #AtTheGallery 



RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

Panel no. 2: 1st Study - The sky's far dome is sane and clear

lead pencil, watercolour, French notebook paper

RACHEL BERMAN (1946-2014)

VERSO: Study for "Sea Shanties, Sort Of" (High Tea, Empress Hotel, Victoria), 2009