“Harmony” is a rare duo exhibition featuring the artwork of digital painter Stephen Harlan and glass sculptor David Wight at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor this Memorial Day Weekend.
What: “Harmony” an expertly curated duo exhibition and interactive receptions with digital artist Stephen Harlan and hand-blown glass wave sculptor David Wight.
When: Exhibit: Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Receptions with the artists: each evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor
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Ocean Galleries invites you to immerse yourself in “Harmony,” a rare duo exhibition featuring the artistry of digital painter Stephen Harlan and hand-blown glass sculptor David Wight on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th. Meticulously curated to highlight the artists’ distinct, complementary talents, the Memorial Day Weekend show includes exclusive evening receptions with Harlan and Wight and marks the only scheduled appearances for either artist in the Northeast region this year. All artworks will be available for acquisition.
“This show will take your breath away,” says Ocean Galleries owner, Kim Miller. “We matched Stephen Harlan and David Wight because they relate so well together. They’re both very water oriented, they have an illumination to their work, and their colors are in the same realm. We’re calling the show ‘Harmony’ because their styles are inherently different yet blend seamlessly together into a show that highlights the strength of their artistry. They are not only well respected in the art world, but they’re also at the top of their respective crafts. They’re innovators, creating art that’s highly sought-after by collectors.”
While Ocean Galleries is bringing them together, there is much that sets these two artists apart. Harlan’s paintings often depict boats serenely tucked into calm harbors, a faint ripple disturbing the glassy surface of water. Wight’s sculptures exist in brilliant opposition, capturing the moment of liquid ferocity as a wave rises to peak. Together, they balance light, depth, stillness, and motion to illustrate the full spectrum of water’s power to soothe and to stir.
While this will be David Wight’s first appearance at Ocean Galleries, Stephen Harlan is making a highly anticipated return. “He’s been here a few times and people are really excited that he’s coming back,” says Miller. “Stephen has a big following; he’s very popular with our clientele.”
Spending most of his life on the East Coast, Stephen Harlan has drawn constant inspiration from the coastline. A meticulous craftsman, he’s perfected a proprietary process that allows him to paint pixel by pixel, adding intricate nuance with electronic brushes that can be as slim as a single hair. The result is a portfolio of stunning digital paintings.
Presented on both canvas and aluminum, Harlan’s paintings represent hyper realism, a world of symmetry and color we could only wish to experience. “I don’t create realistic places,” Harlan has said. “When it’s not real, there are no rules to go by. I can do my own take on an idea.”
And even though they spring from his imagination, Harlan’s paintings still are often confused as photographs, which he considers the ultimate compliment. “It means I’ve taken something from the air and made you believe it’s real,” he’s said. “It’s a new adventure each time.”
Untethered to reality, Harlan freely conjures images that soothe with balance and pulse with saturated hues like “Early Morning Blue” or “Midnight,” as well as images that whisper restraint and pristine simplicity like “Do Not Disturb” or “Sleeping Late.” Regardless of the palette, every
painting pulls at a vibe that exists in a distinctly Harlan world, where serene curiosity settles into calm.
On the other end of the spectrum, David Wight’s art is all about movement and power. He harnesses the splendid chaos of water in midair with hand-blown glass wave sculptures.
Born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, Wight has also gathered inspiration from a lifetime near water. He honed his craft at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School and dedicated his career to using the molten liquid of hot glass to freeze time – to capture that singular moment when the sea roils toward the shore in a glorious crest in three dimensions of sinewy shapes, and shimmering color.
Perfecting his process took a bit of trial and error for Wight “After learning to blow glass, I began making fountains in an attempt to capture the moving water, but still, I desired to do more,” he’s said. “I wanted to create a solid sculpture that embodied the essence and movement of water – not just a vessel, but the water itself. I experimented, and eventually began to utilize ancient Italian tools along with new tools I created to achieve the style of glasswork I envisioned.”
While there are differences between the artwork of Stephen Harlan and David Wight, they share an ability to infuse their passion for water, flow, color, and imagery with expertise and precision. Their clean lines and light touches, allow their artwork to enhance nearly any aesthetic, making them coveted by collectors throughout the world.
The Memorial Day exhibit is a rare opportunity to not only meet these two artists, but to see their works beautifully curated, framed, and showcased by the talented team at Ocean Galleries.
“We always try to create intriguing events that will bring people together through art, to create an atmosphere that people will get excited about,” says Miller. “There’s so much to be learned about the whole digital aspect with Harlan and then the pulling and lifting of these huge waves with Wight. So, we are excited for people to come out, have a glass of wine, and be in the presence of these incredible artistic geniuses.”