SAFE HAVEN, DARK CORNERS

A SOLO EXHIBITION BY VANESSA RISHEL

The exhibition runs from September 21st to November 10th

Visiting Hours: Tuesday thru Friday, 12:00 - 4:00 and Saturday, 12:00 - 4:00

Email HSCC@thehillstreetcountryclub.org for appts and sales

OPEN RECEPTION: September 21st from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Gallery Location: Hill Street Country Club Gallery, 530 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside Ca 92054

PRESS RELEASE

Vanessa Rishel’s “Safe Haven, Dark Corners” Exhibition Opens at Hill Street Country Club

Oceanside, CA – September 7th 2024 – Hill Street Country Club is thrilled to announce the opening of "Safe Haven, Dark Corners," a powerful solo exhibition by South Bay San Diego artist Vanessa Rishel. The show will run from September 21st to November 10th, with a special opening reception on September 21st from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Vanessa Rishel's latest body of work delves into the complex realms of the psyche, utilizing dreamscape themes and a striking contrast of light and dark to explore the inner workings of identity and self-perception. "Safe Haven, Dark Corners" showcases Rishel’s unique approach to painting, where childhood trinkets, plushies, and anime aesthetics become models for her evocative scenes. This method imbues her black and gray scale oil paintings with a sense of realism and emotional depth.

The exhibition features "Insomniac Dreamscapes," a series that incorporates baby angel figures and elements of storytelling akin to comics and teen angel art. These elements are deeply intertwined with real anxieties and the quest for self-acceptance. Rishel invites viewers into a liminal space where memory, inner child, and personal trauma confront everyday harsh realities. Her work serves as both a refuge and a medium for exploring existential themes, encouraging introspection and dialogue about mental health and personal identity.

Exhibition Details

Opening Reception: September 21, 2024, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Exhibition Dates: September 21 - November 10th
Location: Hill Street Country Club, 530 South Coast Highway Oceanside, CA

Join us for the opening reception to experience Vanessa Rishel’s transformative work and engage in discussions about her artistic vision. For further information, to schedule interviews, or to request high-resolution images, please contact Astrid@thehillstreetcountryclub.org

In “Safe Haven, Dark Corners,” Vanessa Rishel presents an exploration of the psyche through her oil paintings. By integrating childhood trinkets, plushies, and anime aesthetics, Rishel creates dreamscapes that are both familiar and surreal. Her use of strong contrasts of light and dark imparts a dramatic intensity, drawing viewers into a narrative of self-discovery and emotional depth.

The series, “Insomniac Dreamscapes,” features black and grayscale paintings that juxtapose the innocence of baby angel figures with the stark realities of mental health and trauma. Through her art, Rishel addresses the interplay between memory, the inner child, and the often harsh realities of everyday life. These objects serve as anchors to the physical world, yet also symbolize projection, worship, and existential proof.

Rishel’s work invites viewers to peer through voyeuristic lenses into her inner world, challenging them to confront their subconscious and their relationship to divinity. The exhibition offers a space for reflection on personal growth, self-acceptance, and alignment with one’s true identity and goals.

About Vanessa Rishel
Vanessa Rishel is an oil painter and conceptual artist based in South Bay San Diego. Her art practice examines the formation of identity and the exploration of liminal spaces. Rishel's career includes notable residencies and exhibitions, such as at Teros Gallery, Phorm Studio, and Bread & Salt, and her work has been featured in various group shows across San Diego and beyond. Rishel is also recognized for her contributions as a writer, muralist, and live painter.

About Hill Street Country Club
Hill Street Country Club is dedicated to fostering community wellness and cultural engagement through the arts. Located in Oceanside, CA, we offer exhibitions, programs, and events that support BIPOC, Queer, and Working Poor communities, creating opportunities for creative expression and dialogue.

For media inquiries, please get in touch with Akiko Surai at Akiko@thehillstreetcountryclub.org

For further information about Vanessa Rishel and “Safe Haven, Dark Corners,” please visit www.thehillstreetcountryclub.org or contact Akiko@thehillstreetcountryclub.org

In “Safe Haven, Dark Corners,” Vanessa Rishel explores the psyche through her oil paintings. By integrating childhood trinkets, plushies, and anime aesthetics, Rishel creates familiar and surreal dreamscapes. Her strong contrasts of light and dark impart a dramatic intensity, drawing viewers into a narrative of self-discovery and emotional depth.
Safe Haven, Dark Corners artworks by Vanessa Rishel feature black and grayscale paintings that juxtapose the innocence of baby angel figures with the stark realities of insomnia. Through her art, Rishel addresses the interplay between memory, the inner child, and the often harsh realities of everyday life. These objects serve as anchors to the physical world, yet also symbolize projection, worship, and existential proof.
Rishel’s work invites viewers to peer through voyeuristic lenses into her inner world, welcoming visitors to her subconscious and relationship to culture diety. The exhibition offers a space for reflection on personal growth, self-acceptance, and alignment with one’s true identity and goals.

The Hill Street Country Club curatorial team has eagerly awaited Vanessa Rishel's return as a solo exhibition artist for two years. Our lead curator and director, Dinah Poellnitz, first encountered Vanessa's striking large monochromatic oil paintings at Teros Gallery, a pioneering women-led DIY space in City Heights, California, owned by Alejandra and Carmela. This gallery has become a vital platform for BIPOC and Queer artists, pushing the boundaries of traditional art institutions.

In late 2021, before Vanessa began her residency at Bread & Salt in Logan Heights, she and Dinah agreed to collaborate on her first solo show at Hill Street. However, the uncertainty of the pandemic and the conclusion of her residency in 2022 led to a pivotal conversation about mental health and the need for a pause from creating art amidst a landscape of social injustice and burnout. Dinah and Hill Street honored that need, leaving the door open for Vanessa’s eventual return.

In 2023, we received the long-awaited message: "I'm ready." After a year of studio visits and collaboration, we are proud to present Vanessa Rishel's debut solo exhibition, "Safe Haven, Dark Corners." Join us to witness the raw intensity and unflinching exploration of identity that defines her work.