GLORIA KING MERRITT

Changing Gears

“Changing Gears”, a solo exhibition of recent works of large scale digital painting by Gloria King Merritt at “The Great Hall”, 100 River Street, Springfield, Vermont, beginning May 17 through August 23, 2013.

This is the first solo exhibition at the spectacular 6,000 square foot gallery space in the former Fellows Gear Shaper building that has been transformed into the newest venue for the arts in Vermont. “The Great Hall” resembles an expansive industrial cathedral with clerestory-like windows and 25’ ceilings. This exhibition of Digital Painting draws a connection between the precision of industrial design and the new golden age of Digital Art in the 21st century by award winning Vermont artist, Gloria King Merritt.

The primary work, titled “Changing Gears” will be featured and is the central focus of this unique gallery space. The artist worked with a computer, virtual brush and paint to create a completely new image that exists only electronically until applied to a canvas using archival quality pigment.

Gloria King Merritt was trained in the most traditional art techniques and materials, such as oils, tempera, and metal, but has always embraced change and pursued new frontiers. In the 1970’s she worked with the Rhode Island artist and gallerist, Eugene Tonoff, doing cutting edge experimentation using clear resins and pigment, transforming two-dimensional artwork by taking advantage of the new medium by shaping, layering, and lighting. She also worked as assistant to Nathanial Jacobson, artist, educator, color theorist, and research affiliate at the MIT Media Laboratory. In 1980, she had the opportunity to learn, create and produce video while working as the Art Director at a major market CBS network affiliate.

Continuing her passion for new opportunities with fine art techniques and material, she began working with her first computer in 1982. Since then, the equipment and software has made amazing progress and provide an unparalleled level of freedom of creative expression.

The exhibition of digital painting at the invitation of Nina Jamison, Director and Curator of “The Great Hall”, demonstrates support in the experimentation and development of new techniques and tools in this new golden age of contemporary art.