STUDIO 330 A Heroic Effort At The Lemberg Gallery • Fine china, fine crystal and interesting gifts • 20% off most of your favorite brands FRANK PROVENZANO SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS • Computerized bridal registry S • Free gift wrapping Mon.-Sat. 10-6 ; Thurs 'til 8 Bloomfield Plaza • 6566 Telegraph Road at Maple • Bloomfield Hills 851-5533 everal years ago, after a In fact, said Ms. Carroll, a devastating, life-threaten- Close painting has seldom — if ing illness that left him par- ever — come up at an art auction. tially paralyzed, artist A sign, she said, that those who Chuck Close centered his recov- own his paintings do not part ery around the one thing that had with them. defined his life — painting. All Many art connoisseurs have the steps leading to the fine mas- been inspired by Mr. Close's abil- tery of brush and color were only ity to triumph over his physical prerequisites to regaining his limitations, said Mrs. Lemberg. artistry. "It's enough to overcome an enor- His paintings from the last two mous obstacle, but then to create decades, on exhibit at the Lem- these overpowering pieces shows berg Gallery in Birmingham, his lasting power," she said. demonstrate his heroic determi- In 1989, Mr. Close was para- nation — and a mythic-sized pa- lyzed when his spinal artery col- tience that would even impress lapsed. Since then, he's regained the tireless Sisyphus, and the re- some motion. But he must wear lentless Job. The exhibit also signals the end of a long wait for Cor- rine Lemberg, whose gallery has evolved since the early 1970s to its prominence to- day, in exhibiting one of 4 America's finest portraitists. "We've been watching V %. fk Chuck Close's work for 20 • years," she said. "The por- traits are compelling and with his impressionistic tech- nique, the eyes (of the por- traits) seem to follow you." Mrs. Lemberg said that the assembled range of Mr. Close's portraits marks a first for the metro Detroit gallery scene. Since 1976, prints of Mr. Close's work have been available through the blue- chip gallery Pace Editions in New York City. And, since Mr. Close is hardly prolific — completing one or two pieces a year — there's been great anticipation for his complet- ed work. That's why there's a long waiting list for a Close paint- ing, said Mrs. Lemberg. Mr. Close's paintings are also ex- hibited at several prestigious museums, including the Na- tional Gallery in Washing- ton, D.C., and the Tate Lucas, a woodcut by Chuck Close. Gallery in London. During the days of ab- stract expressionism of the late a wrist brace to steady his hand 1960s and 1970s, Mr. Close was while he paints. And while work- firmly planted in the painting tra- ing on large-scale paintings, Mr. dition of realistic portraiture. Close raises and lowers himself Ironically, during the last decade on a forklift. as the trend turned toward real- His portraits at the Lemberg ism, Mr. Close has been explor- Gallery appear in two distinct ing a more impressionistic styles: photorealism, from his ear- approach. lier period; and impressionistic, "There's great respect for him from his most recent collection. as an artist and as someone who Regardless of style, however, the sticks to his vision and is not work is distinguished by what it swayed by popularity or what reveals about Mr. Close's sub- sells," said Darlene Carroll, man- jects, who are typically his friends ager at the Lemberg Gallery. and relatives. • Michigan's Only Cowboy andIndian Gallery ALWAYS BUYING & SELLING • Western paintings • Cowboy Collectibles. Spurs Hats, Chaps. Saddles • Books and Photographs • American Indian Basketry, Textiles and Beadwork • Colts and Mnchesters • Pawn Jewelry Pottery v.i 1 251 Merrill Street • Upper Level • Birmingham, MI 48009 (810) 647-8833 Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. or by appointment Artistic Expressions Custom Floi als by Centerpieces • Wreaths • The Unusual Vintage Vases • Brass, Silver, Stone and Ceramic Containers • Accessories • Artwork • Mirrors Studio Hours: 10- 5 Mon.-Fri. • 12-3:30 Sat. Due to free home consultations, please call first. 725 S. Adams • Suite 22 • Birmingham (Adams Square Building) (810) 644 • 8349 %I. One of his earliest paintings, Philip, is a revealing portrait of composer Philip Glass. It shows the free spirit and spontaneity which are features of Mr. Glass' compositions. The intricate painting process begins with an image from a pho- tograph. Then, Mr. Close uses a grid system whereby he builds the painting square by square based on the photo. Often each grid on the canvas will have its own pattern, which blends with the larger image. Collectively, Mr. Close imparts a simple truth about the most puzzling of all subjects — the hu- a man face. The farther one stands from his painting, the more the painting resembles the coherent lines and shapes of the face. In general, these faces are remark- ably familiar. Perhaps it's be- cause what is revealed about the faces touches on universal themes of human suffering, doubt and independence. Upon up-close examination, however, the complexity of Mr. Close's technique seems to reveal the interior lives of his subjects. One of the exhibit's most stark