Gallery director Hilary Gent will be exhibiting a culmination of her water themed paintings at her HEDGE Gallery (Cleveland) opening May 20.

The meditative nature of water that Gent experiences through Lake Erie has resulted in this body of work. The color palettes are inspired by the reflections of light and landscape on the water. Touch, sound and sight conjure her personal connection with the Lake’s surface, which she translates through the action of pouring and layering latex paint onto canvas. Gent works while the canvas is horizontal, manipulating the paint to interpret the surface of water.

The title Walking on Water references an idiom used to define performing superhuman feats, or to do something impossible or extraordinary. It is also a theme in the Bible, where the disciple Peter trusts Jesus enough to step out of a fishing boat in a raging storm to literally walk on water (Matthew 14: 28-29). 

Gent explains, “I began painting the surface of water as I dealt with insecurities and hardships in life such as divorce, new relationships, infertility and managing businesses. 

Each time I came to paint a new canvas, the action of studying the water’s movement led me to a mindset of peace. Meditating and praying while physically experiencing the water became a place where coping mechanisms and new revelations made themselves clear. What I deemed impossible was presented as fully possible as I continued to open my heart and mind to what I believe God was speaking while I encountered His watery creation. Like the disciple Peter I felt an ability to “walk on water” so to speak; to trust enough that what I was experiencing was all part of a greater good.”

Walking on Water opens to the public on Friday May 20, 5:00-8:00pm and is on view through July 1, 2022. 

HEDGE Gallery hours are Wednesday-Thursday 11a-6p, Friday 11a-5p, Saturday noon-4p.

For more details or images of work, please contact gallery director, Hilary Gent.