Exeter, NH (August 14, 2006)—From Wednesday, September 13 to Wednesday, October 11, the Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy will present “Patterns,” an exhibit of paintings by Lise Lemeland, textiles from the collection of David Paly, and Termespheres by Dick Termes. An opening reception for the artists will be held on Friday, September 29, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. The Lamont Gallery is located in the Frederick R. Mayer Art Center on Tan Lane in Exeter. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Lise Lemeland’s fascination with pattern in its many forms and colors is demonstrated in her paintings, which she says, are a response to decoration. This current work combines dragons and lace, symbolizing dark and benevolent serpents from the East and West, with a feminine ornament that is both delicate and practical. Lemeland’s intent with the collaboration is to generate new meaning of both beauty and embracing decoration. “At its heart,” she explains, “this work is about visual splendor and the celebration of pattern and color.” Lemeland earned her masters and bachelors degrees in painting from Hunter College and the San Francisco Art Institute, respectively. She has exhibited her works in the northeast and throughout the country since 1993.  

Anesthesiologist David Paly, alumnus ‘73, has been collecting textiles since his teens. He has amassed more than 300 pieces, all of which he keeps in his home. The core of his collected art is an international collection of Ikat, ethno-graphic or tribal textiles often made of cloth, fiber or even objects. Frequently used for costume, but often for ceremony, Paly says he was immediately taken by the Ikat pattern, interplay of simple graphics and subtle surface variation. Much of his collection originates from South America, South and Southeast Asia, and Japan.

Of the 18 pieces in the exhibit, Paly says he is more than happy to share his collection because he views himself as an appreciator and caretaker. “I don’t feel possessive about the pieces, because I don’t see them as mine. I’m glad to have a reason for buying each object: its beauty or a relationship to other objects in my collection,” he says. “But I don’t feel like they’re mine, and so, ultimately, I won’t mind getting rid of them.”

Termesphere paintings by Dick Termes, an internationally acclaimed artist who paints on spheres, are known as optical illusions on revolving three-dimensional explorations. Using a six-point perspective system, Termespheres capture the up, down, and all around visual world from one revolving point in space. Each sphere is a space and time exploration of an entirely closed universe. The artist has been painting spherical paintings since 1968. A year later, he received a master’s degree in art from the University of Wyoming. In 1964, Termes earned his bachelors degree in art from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. His work has been shown throughout the United States, Japan and Europe since 1981.

Gallery hours are Monday 1–5 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., closed on Sunday. For further information, contact the Lamont Gallery at (603) 777-3461. For directions to Phillips Exeter Academy, call (603) 777-4330. A complete list of upcoming events is available on the Phillips Exeter Academy public events line at (603) 777-4309 and on our website at www.exeter.edu.
                                  
Phillips Exeter Academy is a coeducational, independent preparatory school that was founded in 1781 and originated the system of instruction known as Harkness teaching in 1931. In the spirit of its charter to foster both goodness and knowledge, students come from a wide variety of geographic, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. The diverse student body comes from approximately 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 25 foreign countries.

Learn more:

   Read an artist statement by Ms. Lemeland...   

   See other works in the Paly collection...    

  Read about Mr. Termes and his termespheres...