IBIS Contemporary Art Gallery Presents New Exhibition “Shared Latitude”

NEW ORLEANS (press release) – IBIS Contemporary Art Gallery is honored to present Mark Messersmith’s paintings and sculptures in a solo exhibition titled Shared Latitude — a reference to the latitude 30° North, which both New Orleans and Messersmith’s city of Tallahassee share, as well as much of the Gulf Coast, the source of the exhibition’s imagery. The exhibition runs from Feb. 24 to March 30, with an Artist’s Reception on March 2.
 
Renowned for his vivid and intricate paintings, Messersmith’s work demonstrates his skill in capturing the Gulf Coast’s beauty and complexity. His paintings and sculptures weave a rich tapestry of texture and color, presenting an initially idyllic view of the environment. However, a deeper look unveils a narrative of survival and the intricate dynamics between humans and nature.
 
The exhibition will include Messersmith’s large, realistic paintings with framed structures that incorporate wood carvings and detailed predellas, serving as storyboards that further enrich the narrative of each piece. Also included in the exhibition are his dynamic sculptures of flora and fauna.
 
Mark Messersmith, a Professor Emeritus of Florida State University, has received multiple accolades for his remarkable contributions to the arts. This includes four Individual Artist Fellowships from the State of Florida, two Ford Foundation Fellowships, two fellowships through the National Endowment for the Arts/Southern Arts Federation, and a prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation award.
 
Messersmith’s art has been acquired by esteemed public collections, such as The Butler Institute of American Art, Florida State University’s Museum of Fine Art, The Grace Museum, The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, The Nature Conservancy Florida Chapter, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and The Tyler Museum of Art.
 
Join us at IBIS Contemporary Art Gallery for the Artist’s Reception of Shared Latitude on March 2, from 6-9 p.m.