Princeton News Network

Princeton Artists Pamela Kogen and Robin Resch Create Artistic Synergy on Nassau Street

Posted on 24. Sep, 2009 by PNN Editor in Arts, Events, Painting, Photography

Princeton artists Pamela Kogen and Robin Resch will once again create an artistic synergy at joint-opening receptions of their latest works on Thursday, October 8th from 6- 8 p.m. at CoolVines (344 Nassau Street) and Small World Coffee (254 Nassau Street).

Pamela Kogen, a painter featured in the premiere April issue of Princeton Magazine, will present her recent series of paintings, “Pinup Girls”, a colorful exploration of the subject of female identity, beauty. Pamela is an east coast artist who spent her childhood in Levittown, Pennsylvania, the suburbs of Maplewood, New Jersey, and on the waters of Martha’s Vineyard. She moved to the East Village in the early 1980s and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Parsons School of Design. The iconic subject of clothing, which has been a recurrent theme in her artwork, has led her to pursue careers in the fashion industry as a wardrobe and prop stylist, and as an editorial and fashion illustrator for magazines (Mademoiselle, Vogue) newspapers (New York Times, Village Voice) museums (MoMA), and many of New York City’s department stores (Henri Bendel, Barneys NY). Her paintings and drawings have been shown in galleries and venues in New York City and Westchester, NY.

Pamela’s paintings are playful and graphic, the vibrant colors belying what is a layered issue comprised of the fulfillment and imposition of expectations upon dreams and desire. The “Pinup Girl” simultaneously reveals an absorption in the eternal quest to be “beautiful”, and the act of passing judgment, which is the prerogative of the viewer. Bold, but at the same time humanistic, her work is informed by social dynamics, pop culture and an ongoing interest in art history.

“Pinup Girls” will be on exhibit at CoolVines through December 6, 2009. “CoolVines and Small World Coffee are integral to the Princeton artistic community, enthusiastically and consistently exhibiting the work of local artists”. Pamela’s work can be viewed at www.pamelakogen.com

Robin Resch is a photographer and architect who lived and worked in Italy, France, and the Netherlands for over eight years. She left Europe to pursue her master’s degree in architecture at Princeton University, which she combined with advanced photographic studies under the auspice of Emmet Gowin. Known for her spontaneous and natural portraits, as well as her travel and commercial work, Resch’s photographs have been published in a variety of books and magazines, including the Witte de With Cahiers, the Rotterdams Dagblad, Victoria Magazine and a travel book, “A Romantic’s Guide to Italy.” Her pictures have been exhibited at the Lucas Gallery at Princeton University, the Pringle Gallery in Philadelphia, Princeton Project Space, and most recently Design Within Reach.

Robin’s show at Small World Coffee will include recent photographs from her series “Yosemite”. In her landscapes, Resch is fascinated by the power of nature and the duality of its ephemeral qualities and its ageless continuum. In “Yosemite” Resch considers the strength and majesty of the mountain withstanding the vagaries of weather and time. The proud peak of Yosemite Falls becomes a symbol for strength of self within the challenges of life. Robin Resch’s work will be on exhibit at Small World Coffee through November 3, 2009.

“The arts are such an important part of our vibrant town, but there are simply not enough venues for artists to show their work,” Robin said. “It’s very exciting that CoolVines and Small World Coffee are so supportive and that they are pairing up to create these unique art events.” Robin’s work can be viewed at www.studiorr.com and http://homepage.mac.com/rreschstudio/morework