A Painterly Paris in April: Riverside Art Museum Showcases French-Inspired Masterpieces 1999

A visit to the Riverside Art Museum this April offers a local artistic escape akin to an overseas vacation. The museum presents a vibrant collection of exhibits, including "A Celebration of Citrus" in the downstairs gallery, featuring colorful orange crate labels, memorabilia, and real citrus trees to lift the spirits. For those seeking an immersive artistic experience, the upstairs DeVean Gallery hosts “Memories of France”, a visual tour of Provence and Paris through the works of Martin Tobias, one of Riverside’s most renowned artists.

Tobias, well-known for his mastery of printmaking and watercolor, showcases a distinct evolution in his art, influenced by a trip to the south of France. Inspired by visits to the homes and studios of Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir, his latest works in acrylic on canvas mark a departure from his characteristic linear style. The new paintings display a heightened palette of festive colors, demonstrating a more painterly approach. Though he claims to be “supposedly retired,” Tobias returns to his first love—painting on canvas. His exhibit balances panoramic landscapes and city scenes, showcasing his meticulous craftsmanship and evocative renditions of iconic French locations like "Café in Montmartre" and "Shops in Mougins."

Alongside Tobias' exhibit, the Mezzanine Gallery presents “Eastern Symbolism/Western Style” by Subodh Maheswari. Born in Northern India, Maheswari moved to the United States in 1971 and obtained a Master of Fine Arts from UC Irvine. Her paintings, steeped in Eastern philosophy and symbolism, reveal a Western sensibility through their delicate use of tones and natural representations of symbolic themes.

Maheswari’s exhibit offers a unique blend of mysticism and accessibility. Each artwork is accompanied by rare, explanatory wall labels, ensuring viewers grasp the deeper spiritual meanings embedded within. Her smaller sequential paintings of Indian beauty portray love and devotion, while monumental works like "Blue Door" and "Puja" (Worship) captivate audiences with their introspective themes.

A particularly striking piece, "Kala" (Tenses), presents a kneeling woman encircled by doors symbolizing the past, present, and future. Through her work, Maheswari introduces viewers to Hindu mysticism, bridging cultural philosophies through art.

Both exhibits, “Memories of France” and “Eastern Symbolism/Western Style”, run through May 1, offering visitors a chance to explore contrasting artistic journeys—from the lively streets of Paris to the meditative symbolism of the East—all within the inspiring setting of the Riverside Art Museum.

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