Sean Riley, Circle Wave Folded 1, 2012, casein, acrylic on panel, 21″ x 16″

(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – New works from Berkshire-based artist Sean Riley – including paintings on panel and dyed-paper collages – are now on display at Allium Restaurant in Great Barrington. Riley’s colorful works evoke certain qualities of fabric and use patterns that fold in upon themselves in origami-like fashions that give rise to a tension between flat and three-dimensional space. In his collage work, Riley soaks his paper in numerous baths of colored water, allowing the color to sink into the paper, adding a rich and tactile quality to the works. Using tape as a “resist” he is able to create patterns on the paper in much the same way that is done with traditional fabrics.

In 2009, Riley began creating memorial quilts using inherited clothing and found an affinity for fabric arts. Riley’s work with fabric has had a direct impact on his painting practice and has altered the way he creates marks and develops compositions.

Sean Riley (b. 1977) lives and works in the northern Berkshires of western Massachusetts. He has studied painting at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (BFA 1999) and at the University of Pennsylvania (MFA 2004.) His work has been exhibited widely across the East Coast and he has received grants from the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Cultural Council of the Northern Berkshires. He has also been a resident at artist community Yaddo in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Allium specializes in casual, contemporary American cuisine highlighting the best of the season in support of independent farmers and artisan producers using sustainable practices. The food is handcrafted by Chef Daire Rooney and her team; they take great care to source local and seasonal ingredients including farm-fresh produce, meats and cheeses. Located at 42 Railroad Street in Great Barrington, Allium serves dinner Thursday through Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. The bar is open on Wednesday evenings for cocktails. All major credit cards are accepted. For more information or reservations, call 413.528.2118 or visit opentable.com.