A Passing Storm, a solo show of contemporary paintings by Roni Feldman, opens at Slate Contemporary Gallery May 05, inviting viewers to discover unexpected meanings and beautiful forms.

Oakland artist Roni Feldman crafts his cloud paintings entirely with white paint over a silver ground. They appear subtle at first, but come alive with light as it catches the varying matte and reflective surfaces. As one moves in front of them, or sunlight changes the lighting in the room, the paintings vacillate between abstraction and representation, revealing scenes of liquid transformation: great waves, stormy clouds, avalanches, and billowing geysers.

The paintings are grand and often full of movement and energy, but the luminescence and soft forms balance drama with serenity.

While I was developing this technique, life was interrupted by the pandemic. The lockdown was a blessing in disguise for me, as it removed the clutter of a busy life. I suddenly had time to experiment with my new materials... I also came to appreciate home more than I ever had before. I realized that these bright, airy paintings were exactly what I wanted to live with. The world outside was going through great changes. These paintings convey comfort with change. They are always in flux, yet convey tranquility.

(Roni Feldman)

Roni Feldman holds an M.F.A. in Painting from the Claremont Graduate University. His work has been featured extensively in solo and group exhibitions both in the U.S. and abroad. His work is in the permanent collections of the Guangzhou City Art Museum in China, the Long Beach Museum of Art in California, as well as numerous private collections. He has been awarded multiple prizes including the Durfee ARC Grant and a Faculty Development Grant to conduct research and produce an exhibition in Rome. He is a professor at Otis College of Art & Design where he teaches courses in color theory, painting, drawing, and design. Feldman is currently living in Oakland and is represented by Slate Contemporary Gallery.