The Stillness of the City


THE STILLNESS OF THE CITY
Daina Higgins, Shushana Rucker, Sophie White & Martha Wirkijowski

February 26 - March 22, 2020 

Cerulean Arts is pleased to present The Stillness of the City, an exhibition of paintings by Daina Higgins, Shushana Rucker, Sophie White & Martha Wirkijowski. The urban landscape, with its implicit human presence, serves as subject matter, yet the works presented are absent any figures. Daina Higgins is drawn to non-places or unheroic landscapes, those not visited by tourists. Her use of light, color and composition elevate these modest subjects into a poetic realm. Shushana Rucker looks for the influence of humans on the landscape and the impact of time on manmade structures. Through direct painting and a subdued palette, she explores aging neighborhoods and railyards, and is better able to understand the people who interact with them. Martha Wirkijowski prioritizes atmosphere, form and shadow over minute detail in her luminous cityscapes. Her dramatic use of color and light intensifies her subject, creating a mysterious narrative. Sophie White paints perceptually from highly considered subjects in her immediate environment that carry an emotional significance for her. Her rapid paint handling burns through superficial appearances to get at the essence of this connection. 


Martha Wirkijowski, Dampened Dusk, oil on canvas, 14" x 18"  


Daina Higgins, Hopkin's Pharmacy, Ridge Avenue, oil on birch panel,
15" x 20"  SOLD 

Daina Higgins, Roman's Pizza (Night), Ridge Avenue, oil on panel,
24" x 30"  SOLD 

Shushana Rucker, Open Space, oil on panel, 12" x 16" 

Daina Higgins, Ridge Avenue at Route 1, oil on birch panel,
40" x 30" 

Shushana Rucker, Crossing Over, oil on panel, 14" x 11"  

Sophie White, Offices Becoming Hotel Rooms, acrylic on paper, 9" x 8" 


Sophie White, Downtown Philly, acrylic on paper, 8" x 8"  

Martha Wirkijowski, Procession, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"  

Sophie White, Back of Front St., acrylic on paper, 12" x 12"  

Shushana Rucker, Old Neighbors, oil on panel, 18" x 14" 

Shushana Rucker, Intersecting Lines, oil on panel, 10" x 10" 

Shushana Rucker, Tags 2, oil on panel, 5" x 7"  SOLD

Daina Higgins, Progressive Insurance, Ridge Avenue, oil on panel, 16" x 20" 


Sophie White, 4th Ave. Bedroom Window, acrylic on paper, 14" x 11"  

Shushana Rucker, Charlie's Place, oil on panel, 18" x 14" 

Martha Wirkijowski, Window Shopping, oil on canvas, 24" x 30"  


Sophie White, Night Offices, acrylic on paper, 12" x 12"  

Martha Wirkijowski, No One Sleeps, oil on canvas, 8" x 10"  SOLD 

Martha Wirkijowski, Enclosed, oil on canvas, 8" x 10"  SOLD 

Sophie White, Church and Chambers II, oil on panel, 24" x 24" 

Shushana Rucker, Street Corner, oil on panel, 12" x 9"  SOLD
 

Daina Higgins, Metro PCS, oil on birch panel, 16" x 20"