Barb Schwarz Karst

Barb Schwarz Karst, Montana-born Missoula artist, “brings a flare of contemporary freshness and attitude to the global art community through her unique ability to blend traditional materials with edgy and unconventional media.” Cello Gallery is proud to show several pieces from her 2020 collection Stark Unreality, abstract pieces of enamel, acrylic, textile, and latex, which asserts that nothing is ever black and white. Aggressive slashes of paint capture destruction, “like a forest fire that has decimated everything in its path,” while lighter representations reveal a complimentary sense of peace and calm. When Karst isn't busy receiving prestigious awards from the Salmagundi Club in New York City, painting, or exhibiting her work around the U.S., she can be found hiking or biking in the mountains with her husband.