RED BANK: GALLERY OF ‘LIFE’

Dozens of people passed through Red Bank’s Art Alliance of Monmouth County gallery Saturday night, studying the works on display for the opening of its monthly exhibit.

The monthlong, members-only, non-juried show at the Monmouth Street art space is themed ‘Life.'”I love the variety, ” said Stas Nuke, who has two photographs in the exhibit.  “There are so many styles: cold wax, hot wax, acrylics, oils, collage.” The exhibit also features drawings and sculpture.

And what is the meaning of “Life” at the Alliance? “It can mean everyday situations, about people, about the city- everything happens in the city,” said member Demetrius Patterson, of Tinton Falls. “It’s about communication: how you meet all sorts of people – some you like to meet, some you don’t like to meet.  Life surprises you. You don’t know what to expect.”

Patterson, who has been in many shows at the Alliance and elsewhere, creates three-dimensional acrylic paintings,  which he encourages observers to feel.  “I like to use my hands to build it up,” Patterson said.

One of Patterson’s pieces is entitled Diner.  “I’ve been in diners. What I do is put a little spunk in it, a little zing.  Instead of being flat, I make it perky, so you get a smile,” Patterson he said.

A patron of the arts, Jeanette Bender of East Brunswick, talked about a piece that stood out to her, A Great Fall, by Debra Peterson, done in pen and ink and charcoal.

“It’s a political-spiritual one,” Bender said. “It’s saying the U.S. is like Humpty-Dumpty, and God is tilting us.  We’re buying ourselves out, and if we don’t go toward God, we’re going to be destroyed.”

“Life” will be on display through September. The gallery, at 33 Monmouth Street, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-4.  Membership is open to any artist, amateur to professional.