Being Present - Shirley A. Kern and Robin Resch

Arts Council of Princeton - May 17 - June 14, 2025

Being Present

Being Present is a two-person exhibition that explores abstraction through the photographic artwork of Robin Resch and paintings of Shirley Kern. Friends for over 16 years, they have long been drawn to each others work, finding that it resonates mutually in an emotive way that they feel is worth sharing.

Resch is interested in conveying the essence of what she experiences. In her photographs she pulls this essence from light, exploring the energies she perceives through shifts in focus. Kern paints in the realm of possibilities. She approaches the blank surface with the intention of acting in the moment.

Rather than expressing the world realistically, they share an interest in exploring other impressions and emotions. When something is visually out of focus, the blurring of definition invites a different perception. As artists, they feel this abstraction has intention, purpose, artistic focus and energy. Blurring shifts the focus away from a single element; colors and shapes seem to flow into one another, creating a sense of motion or fluidity, a sense of oneness.

Both artists are interested in creating art that is open and inviting. Art that reminds the viewer of the beauty of the world, the briefness of life, the blur of experiences and the delight of the everyday. Being Present invites the viewer to experience something new. It’s an invitation to stop and look at the world from a different perspective.