Marfa Mesa, 24x96” Acrylic on Panel. 2025

SARAH WINKLER SOLO EXHIBITION OF NEW WORKS

DESERT MODERN

A collection of contemporary Desert SOUTHWEST and west Texas inspired Landscape Formations

Exhibition Opening Reception with the Artist: Saturday, July 5th, 5-7pm

Exhibition runs July 5th, 2025 - Aug 2nd, 2025

Vail International Gallery, Vail, Colorado.

A meandering road trip through the backcountry flowing beside the Rio Grande river from Colorado to New Mexico to West Texas arriving at a GPS coordinate on the outskirts of Big Bend National Park to witness a total solar eclipse in April 2024 led to the impulse to paint imagery of the Southwest. This collection of paintings is inspired by the Great Basin, Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts of the American Southwest and seeks to capture the dramatic interplay of elements within these breathtaking landscapes. From the twisted slot canyons carved by wind and water, to the brilliantly white dunes of Whites Sands National Park, to the mesas that evoke the remnants of an ancient sea, to the towering steeples of red rock canyons along the Rio Grande river to Big Bend National Park, each painting serves as a testament to the geological contrasts present in this high desert country.

The vibrant colors and varied textures are chosen to reflect the shifting light that rests upon the sun baked terrain. The desert landscape is low and wide. The vastness of open space miles between features creates a mirage-like quality of glimmering water on the desert landscape. Painted rocks and swirling dust clouds come alive, emphasizing the transient beauty of this arid region. The imagery draws on the duality of fragility and permanence, mirroring the delicate balance of life in the desert during Springtime when the rivers are full and the plants are blooming. Through these explorations, the paintings not only depict a physical space but also convey the emotional resonance of the American Southwest, appealing to both the senses and the spirit.