“Jo Stripling: A Retrospective Exhibition” will be showing at the Gallery in the Round, located at the Ames Unitarian Fellowship on Hyland Avenue through Feb. 17. Viewing hours are 9 a.m. – noon Monday and Tuesday; 1 – 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; or by appointment (call 515-292-5960).
Stripling, who passed away in 2012, used lush colors and light to make her acrylic paintings stand out. Her paintings, which have been described as abstract realism, also blend unique patterns and textures that place her subjects in a far-out world. The collection, which her son curated, is made up of Stripling’s last works found in her home in Tallahassee, Florida. Some of the paintings featured in the collection include “Clown with Pomegranates,” a portrait of a clown that mixes rugged corners, excellent composition and desaturated colors that create an unsettling yet beautiful image. Another piece featured in the exhibition is “Blue Accent,” a still-life in which a summer table covered in glasses and flowers is prominently displayed in Stripling’s distinct style.
Before viewing opens, there will be a public reception at the Gallery in the Round Friday from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with remarks at 5:30 p.m.
