Bankri North Kingstown exhibit shines light on still life
Every bank should have checking accounts, investment services and art gallery spaces — or at least that’s what Bank Rhode Island believes in. At the Bank Rhode Island North Kingstown Gallery, the currently open exhibition, “Still Lifes by John Riedel,” is showcasing vibrant, abstract still life pieces by a Providence-based artist.
Paula Martiesian, current Bankri exhibition curator and Providence-based artist, said the Rhode Island community-based banks have a mission to best reflect the community it is in. In the bank’s three art gallery spaces, two in Providence and one in North Kingstown, the idea is to recognize the state’s significant artist population in a meaningful way.
For over 20 years, Martiesian has served as the Bankri exhibition curator, placing hundreds of pieces of artworks across the three branches. As a personal fan of the Providence-based artist John Riedel’s work, Martiesian said she has shown Riedel’s work previously and wanted to show his work one more time in her last exhibition at Bankri before she retires in January 2024.
“There are many, many visual artists in Rhode Island, far more than in most states,” Martiesian said. “The small number of galleries in our state cannot possibly exhibit and represent the population of artists who live and work here. The bank, and businesses like it who include galleries in their spaces, help to bridge the gap and provide artists places to show and sell their work.”
Riedel’s true passion is art and his love is shown in his artwork, Martiesian said. She said his home and studio, based on the Fox Point section of Providence, is jammed packed with fifty years’ worth of oil paintings, pastels and watercolors. In “Still Lifes by John Riedel,” Martiesian selected bright, vibrant interconnected still life pieces.
She added that she appreciates how Riedel manipulates space and color in his work, combining reality with an unusual color palette. He uses techniques similar to old-fashioned painters who work from still life objects under natural light, but adds a modern, colorful twist.
“[My favorite thing about Riedel’s work is the] color and an almost tropical feel to his paintings,” Martiesian said. “The gallery space in North Kingstown is small, so I wanted work with impact and is impactful.”
Martiesian said art lovers and bank attendees alike should make an effort to come out to the Bank Rhode Island North Kingstown Gallery to see Riedel’s work before the exhibition closes in February.
“John’s work is unusual, thoughtful and expressive,” Martiesian said. “It appeals to a wide audience and still has deep painterly grit. He’s been painting for decades and the love and dedication he puts into his work is evident.”
“Still Lifes by John Riedel” opened on December 1 and will be open through February 29, 2024.The Bankri North Kingstown branch is located at 1140 Ten Rod Road in North Kingstown. The bank hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more information, contact www.bankri.com or call the branch at 401294-7737.