The National Arts Club will open its doors to Chellis Baird in the exhibition ‘The Touch of Red,’ on view from March 21st through April 8th. In this exhibition, Baird, a 2022-23 National Arts Club Artist Fellow, explores the complex significance of the color red, expanding upon her signature techniques of sculpture, painting and textiles within the spectrum of the hue.
Much like the versatility of Baird’s work, the color conjures a wide range of symbols, feelings and history, including the contrasting emotions of love and pain, as well as symbols such as good luck, war and seduction. The artist developed the red paint with local suppliers in New York and Georgia to create her chosen shades, and also developed her first metal and rosin works titled Serpentine and Flirt with the assistance of a foundry in Long Island City.
About the artist ~ American artist Chellis Baird blurs the intersection of painting, sculpture and textiles, exploring the elements of painting by reconstructing handwoven canvases from a unique perspective. Her bespoke process begins with woven structures as her base. Each canvas starts with neutral toned materials that are then painted, dyed and sculpted into dimensional brushstrokes. She creates tangled compositions through a series of twists, knots, and up cycled textiles. Baird’s background in fashion allows her to dress the canvas with imagination. Not unlike a garment, she uses color to emphasize the authenticity and body of each piece. Baird received her BFA in textiles from Rhode Island School of Design and studied studio art at the Art Students League in New York City. She was born in Spartanburg, S.C. and now lives and works in New York City. Follow the artist on Instagram.
Chellis Baird: The Touch of Red will be on view from March 21st through April 8th, with an Opening Reception on March 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The National Arts Club is located at 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC.
While you’re there, don’t miss The Benefit Print Project, 10 Years and Counting.