Adam Umbach: Whimsical Waters At Roman Fine Art

Roman Fine Art presents “Whimsical Waters,” a solo exhibition by Brooklyn based painter Adam Umbach. This exhibition of new works marks Umbach’s second show at Roman Fine Art. “Whimsical Waters” features new work from Umbach’s ongoing maritime series.

An opening reception with natural wines purveyor Nat Out East will be held on Friday, February 11, from 5 to 7 PM at 26 Goodfriend Drive in East Hampton. The exhibit will continue through Sunday, March 13.

In his most recent collection of paintings, Umbach has chosen to refocus on the maritime-centric theme previously explored in his debut exhibition at Roman Fine Art. In his earlier nautical paintings, Umbach revealed his deep connection to boating. Boats moored in the harbors and bays of the Hamptons aroused fond memories of time shared on the water with his late father in New England.

“Sweet Water (Yellow)” by Adam Umbach.

In the “Whimsical Waters” series, Umbach warmly recalls the holiday boat trips of his youth, creating a series of deeply nostalgic paintings connected to the sea. For Umbach, images of vessels docked in the calm, shallow waters of Long Island are meant evoke feelings of safety and comfort.

Reflecting on the imagery in this series proved a powerful salve to the anxiety felt by the artist, and hopefully to all of us still struggling with the ever-lingering pandemic. Umbach adds bright colors and a sense of humor as a counter sentiment to the isolation and unease many have felt over the last two years.

“Sunset Cruise” by Adam Umbach.

Umbach’s work explores nostalgia and childhood memories by juxtaposing detailed photorealistic representations of everyday objects with expressionistic mark making. By using his non-dominant hand to create the thickly rendered lines and forms, Umbach constructs a dynamic sense of movement and physicality on the canvas that lends a sculptural, almost three-dimensional quality to the picture plane. This formal tension mirrors the balance between his playful, often humorous choice of subjects with the weight of the memories they symbolize — a sense of loneliness pervading a singular teddy bear, toy truck, or boat combined with the comfort and hope that it brings.

A biographical painter, Umbach’s chosen subjects, which often repeat through differing bodies of work, belong to a personal and familial iconography. Though sourced from his life, Umbach’s paintings invite viewers to connect with this imagery by evoking their own experiences and memories. 

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