THE ENLIVENING VELVET HEART
A SALT CRYSTAL ART COLLECTION
SOLO EXHIBITION BY BETTINA WERNER
PRESS RELEASE
THE ENLIVENING VELVET HEART | Solo Exhibition by ZEEHAN WAZED
ON VIEW: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018 – SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018
LOCATION: ABXY Lower East Side | 9 Clinton Street | New York, NY 10002
@bettinawerner_saltqueen | @abxyles | abxy.co | Artsy
Monday, February 5th, 2018 – New York, NY: ABXY Gallery announced today it will celebrate Valentine’s Day with the opening of a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring internationally acclaimed Milan born American artist, Bettina Werner.
Known as the Salt Queen for her pioneering and significant accomplishments within the art world, Bettina Werner has attracted international attention for her innovative art creations since the early 80s when she invented her own technique for colorizing and texturizing salt crystals, and became the first artist to use salt exclusively as an art medium. The artist, who now works out of her private art loft on Wall Street - will unveil a unique collection of glowing salt-crystal artworks at the notable ABXY Gallery on February 13th.
The exhibition, entitled The Enlivening Velvet Heart: A Salt Crystal Art Collection brings together newly created artworks, which manifest the richness of the artist’s ever-expanding imagination. The exhibition marks the first collaboration between the artist and ABXY Gallery founder, Allison Barker. “The Enlivening Velvet Heart” runs through March 3rd, 2018 at the popular LES newcomer.
BETTINA WERNER | Enlivening Red Velvet Heart, 2017 | 20 1/2” x 23 1/2” | Salt crystal painting
BETTINA WERNER | Light Blue Heart, 2014 | 24” x 18” | Salt crystal painting
ARTIST STATEMENT | The Enlivening Velvet Heart
“As Einstein says, love is the most powerful force in the universe,” remarks the artist, “And salt is the fifth element - just like fire, earth, air and water – it is sacred and essential in human life. I am excited to celebrate the Valentine’s season with this exhibition. My work with salt is intensely passionate, and I am happy to feature it at ABXY, which is known in New York for exhibiting work that is "sparkling" and forward-thinking…”
“Salt has the essence of cleansing and healing. At the cellular level, the balances of salt are essential to life. Creating with each single salt crystal is an intimate experience of magic and mystical movement that captures my soul and empowers me. To quote the great architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Less is More, and when experiencing my art, one is able to fully appreciate the texture and shades of color at its heightened dimension.”
The Enlivening Velvet Heart also memorializes the artist’s love for her late-father, who passed away this winter. “A father is a daughter’s first love!” states Bettina Werner. "My dad and I have always had a unique bond; he gave me the freedom to conquer my own destiny …I'm grateful to him. This exhibition is for my dad: “ il mio papa', un principe azzurro a cavallo dal cuore di velluto”, says the artist.
