Kristen Rego: “Ubiquity And Produce” At Kent Place Gallery
There will be a reception for the artist from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23.
Rego’s works render beautiful, lush images of food products in layered compositions. Representations of ripe vegetables and fruit mingle with the surfaces of commercial packaging and presentation. They are abstractly seductive and open questions about our relationships to what we buy and eat.
“My work begins with modest and familiar materials: cardboard, brown paper bags, recycled plastics and newsprint,” stated Rego. “The promise of a ‘utopian experience’ of a product is conveyed by the glossy exterior, though the line between what we’re buying and what we are promised is often blurred. Like the brands I reference, I prefer my work to be pleasing and attractive but belie a more ambiguous content.”
“Rego’s work is dealing with a double-edged aspect of beauty and appeal to the senses. The ripe skin of a tomato, evoked by a pleasing and carefully staged pop of saturated red may heighten our appetite to consume (in both the literal and the economic sense), but are we being fooled, do we know what we are eating?” asked Kent Place Gallery Director Ken Weathersby. “Are we OK with everything that went into the production and distribution? The skin of the vegetable likened to the skin of packaging. In both cases there are multiple purposes: attraction, defense, disguise. Patterns and gradients of subtle color surround, contain and mingle with the shapes and logos, supporting and enhancing the elegance of the compositions, and simultaneously evoking grids or graphs. The patterns can become almost hallucinatory as they expand across the surfaces of her paintings.”
Rego has previously shown in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Virginia and Ohio. She holds a BFA from Ohio State University, and an MFA in painting and printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University. The Kent Place Gallery is on the campus of Kent Place School, 42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (908) 273-0900, or visit www.kentplace.org/gallery.
That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade
LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.
When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore
OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior
DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.
There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior
MATH COMES FROM YOU
When you've computed something for yourself, the story is different. The girls here feel like the math is coming from them, rather than from a textbook. You won't hear a Kent Place girl ask, "What answer are they looking for?" The girls are looking for their own answers, and they're on their own path. –Dr. Ralph Pantozzi, Math Teacher
GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.
And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior
MAKE CONNECTIONS.
KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior
YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.
And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising
SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!
In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade
SPEAK YOUR MIND.
Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade
ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.
Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade