Revisit classical painting by coming to see this exhibition of work by Sam Bordley. On view in the Sweet Bay Gallery from September 13th – October 7th, a showcase of paintings by TAC teacher and talented realist painter Sam Bordley will impress you. Join us on September 13th from 6-8:30 for the opening of the Exhibition and 2nd Friday artwalk! Light refreshments provided.
About Sam Bordley:
I was born in 1995 in Durham, North Carolina. I attended Durham School of the Arts with a pathway in painting and art history, graduating in 2013. I gained a bachelor’s degree in Art History from, Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating magna cum laude. At that time, I studied under the renowned fresco painter Dr. Jeffery Mims at the Academy of Classical Design. After graduating, I moved to Rome and earned a master’s degree at John Cabot University in Art Historical Studies. In Rome I spent my days (out of the library) in the Vatican stanze, the palatial galleries, and drawing each and every antique statue and monument. While doing this I studied painting under Professor Timothy J. Allen at the Art Studio Rome. From there I moved to Florence to study at the prestigious Charles Cecil Studios. I stayed there for three years learning old master practices, design, and portraiture. After five years abroad I was ready to come home and set up my own practice. But I return to Europe and its museums every winter to study and paint with my tutors. I’m slated to go and study the methods of the Boston School with the epigone Paul Ingbretson this January for six months. And, after that, with Odd Nerdrum. Completing this I’ll be the only student anywhere who has studied with the three greatest living painters: Charles, Paul and Odd.
But at home I’m busy teaching what I’ve learned. If art history has taught me anything it’s the precious value of this inheritance which can only be passed on orally and in-person to the next generation.
Sam Says, “Today there are certainly more ‘classical realists’ than in the 20th century, and the taste for it is growing. Velazquez and Sargent have been exhumed. But I’ve recently noticed that nobody has bothered to dig up Jan van Eyck, Leonardo or Correggio. Their precious, devotional masterpieces just baffle us with their patience and dedication. Everyone wants to be a swashbuckling (and proficient) hero like Rembrandt, but nobody even essays to match the quiet, sane, profound works of Giorgione. Why? Well, because it is much harder and slower work.”