How to go
What: Mixed media/ceramics by Vijay Sharon Govender
Where: Centerville Police Department Gallery, 155 W. Spring Valley Road
When: Continues through April 30. Reception 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 23
Information: (937) 433-7151 or www.ci. centerville.oh.us
No one appreciates the opportunities in the United States more than Vijay Sharon Govender, a Centerville artist. She and her husband, Kesval, lived in South Africa. Even though she had a graduate degree in Indian art, the Durban Art Gallery in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province would only showcase white artists. They emigrated to the United States in 2003, when he transferred with his job.
She is showing some of her works at Studio 14 in Tipp City and is the featured artist at the Centerville Police Department Gallery. Her first solo exhibit was last year at Centerville High School, where she taught as a substitute art teacher.
“I had seen her art at Centerville High School and I loved it, so I’m so excited that the day we’re here we can see more of her work,” said Susan Melville, who was visiting with her daughter, Maggie. “The colors are gorgeous. I just love how bright they are, and the dots are interesting and make the paintings very texturally oriented.”
Govender is showcasing 16 paintings and 13 clayworks at the gallery.
For most of the paintings, she starts with watercolors, and then places fresh leaves or weeds in a pleasing design before setting them aside before adding acrylic inks. Then she wraps some sections in plastic wrap and lets it dry before developing the composition further with white gesso or colored pencil.
“Chaos in my Brain” is one of her favorites. The warm colors of the leaves clamor for attention against the cool-hued background. In other works, she highlights the leaves’ boundaries with white gesso or pointillism, as in “Dandelion Dance.”
“As a substitute teacher, I am given free rein to do whatever type of lesson I want. I came across a video on Aboriginal art, and the little kids used Q-tips to outline animals,” Govender said. “That’s where I got the idea to highlight with pointillist techniques.”
She also credits her parents for developing her creativity; her father was an artist and her mom a talented interior decorator, seamstress and gardener. Govender is presenting her largely functional clayworks inspired by her travels to Greece and India.
“I used to do a little bit of everything; now I’m focused on mixed-media painting and digital photography,” Govender said. “One gives me instant pleasure; the other is more long-term and relaxing.”
Contact contributing arts writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: Mixed media/ceramics by Vijay Sharon Govender
Where: Centerville Police Department Gallery, 155 W. Spring Valley Road
When: Continues through April 30. Reception 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 23
Information: (937) 433-7151 or www.ci. centerville.oh.us
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