Scapes

Exploring togetherness by way of the tablescape.

South Carolina artists Rachael Nerney and Kiah Bellows have found common ground on the surface of their canvases. Nerney’s whimsical gouache paintings lean representational, oftentimes celebrating food. Bellow’s palette is heavily inspired by the landscapes she encounters and translates that message through abstracted, colorful mark making. After meeting at the table, they realized they had more in common than they thought.

Both artists tend to celebrate the small things in life, moments that are often overlooked. Bellows and Nerney realized they similarly enjoy painting from reference photos -- snapped quickly during blips of beauty. With a duet show on the horizon, these artists decided that this was how they could merge visions; by working from the same reference photos and finding their own interpretations.

With a shared vision in mind, the artists decided to bring in a fresh perspective. They called on photographer Kate Blohm to elevate their reference photography. Blohm is a freelance photographer, recently moved to Charleston from Atlanta with an extensive client list of chefs, farmers, and entrepreneurs.

Scapes explores the idea of the tablescape as a landscape, while using Blohm’s imagery as a leaping-off point for this new painting series from Bellows and Nerney.

Blohm’s photos capture a warm, inviting, brunch-time tablescape full of fresh beverages and local indulgences underneath Charleston palms. In this exhibit all three artists share their own interpretation of this welcoming scene.

In a time where we have to think twice before hugging a friend, community and collaboration take the spotlight.