IMPRESSED

given to the entire body of work, both highly patterned and textural. Edward’s work is a reminder of the importance of boundless expression through recollection, an activity that propels creativity in rebellion against a restrained maturity. 

 

Embracing a wide range of motion, color and style as well, Tollefson’s paintings delve into reclaiming a sense of self through the idea of gender as a performance. Using drag and theater for inspiration, the work features self portraits clad in costuming to play with perceptions of a character. This play is a routine in forced illusion that pushes boundaries of gender ideology in favor of dynamic redefinitions. The paintings featuring sets with increased melodrama through the placement of curtains and lighting put the body of work into a feverish reality in which the acts of revealing and masking blur at center

stage.

 

Cleo the Project Space is excited to be partnering with Thompson Savannah for this exhibition andshowcasing the work in their main lobby. This is a part of a series of shows at the hotel that proudly display the work of local Savannah artists for the greater community to enjoy. The opening reception will take place on May 8th 6-8pm in conjunction with the launch of Impact Magazine’s newest issue from fellow arts organization Arts Southeast. RSVPs are highly encouraged.

 

Abby Edwards (b. 1993, U.S.) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Savannah, Georgia. She holds a B.F.A.in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and  Design (SCAD) and is a self-taught sculptor. Her creative practice spans painting, installation, sculpture, and public art, with her work exhibited at venues including the Jepson Center, Sulfur Studios, Gallery 2424, and Gutstein Gallery in Savannah; the Lamar Dodd Art Center in LaGrange; Westobou Gallery in Augusta; and ATHICA in Athens, Georgia. In addition to exhibitions, Abby has collaborated with organizations such as Fantastic Fungi, UNFK, CAT Savannah

Transit, and SCAD.

abbyedwardsart.com / @abbyedwardsart

 

Ben Tollefson (b. 1985, United States) is an artist and curator in Savannah, Georgia. He pursued painting and sculpture in his undergraduate studies, and subsequently served as the Coordinator of Outreach and K-12 Programs at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. While working towards his M.F.A. in

painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA, he was a director at Non-Fiction Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in the city’s Thomas Square neighborhood. He currently serves as Curator at the SCAD Museum of Art. In this role, he has organized exhibitions by Nina Chanel Abney, Norbert Bisky, Lee Bul, Marcel Dzama, The Haas Brothers, Hayv Kahraman, Izumi Kato, Roxy Paine, Wong Ping, Shoplifter, Emily Mae Smith, Lily van der Stokker, Wendy White, Erwin Wurm and others. He has contributed to a publication on artist Wong Ping, and coordinated the publication of “Ring Redux: The Susan Grant Lewin Collection.” Tollefson has exhibited his work in solo and group shows throughout the United States. His most recent solo exhibition “Peacocking” was presented at the gallery at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA in 2022.

bentollefson.com / @bentollefson

 

IMPACT Magazine is Savannah’s only dedicated arts and culture publication — heavy on visual content, this full color, glossy, 9x12” magazine features some of the South’s most exciting artists, writers and creatives. Published twice a year, each issue features in-depth interviews with artists and long-form narratives about art, culture and identity. With poetry, fiction, comics, music & film reviews and more, IMPACT celebrates art and culture in the Southeast!

artssoutheast.org/impact / @impact.magazine.sav

 

20 years ago, Thompson Hotels was founded as more than just a hotel brand – it was an arbiter of culture, curating what was cool and noteworthy within its walls. Today, we are honoring our roots in culture and elevating it even more by supporting creators we believe uphold the standards of what Thompson has always been – an epicenter of culture. At Thompson Savannah, we are proud to carry this legacy forward our ongoing commitment to celebrating and supporting local artists. Through our rotating lobby gallery, we create space for emerging and established talent to share their work with our community and guests, keeping creativity and culture at the heart of everything we do.

@thompsonsavannahga