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Angel Dean Brings Summer to Life in ‘Splash’ at the Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons
The artist transforms vintage beach scenes into luminous, layered paintings celebrating movement, memory and the timeless magic of summer in WACH’s latest exhibition.
At first glance, Angel Dean’s paintings capture carefree summer moments at the beach and pool. Look closer, and the scenes unfold into richly layered compositions where swimmers, divers and dancers repeat across the canvas, creating a dreamlike sense of motion, nostalgia and wonder.
Encaustic with layered toner transfers on cradled wood panel
Dean is one of five artists featured in Splash, the Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons’ summer exhibition, on view through Aug. 16 in Bridgehampton. The vibrant group show also features works by Caro Dranow, Francine Fleischer, Jennifer Hannaford and Marcie Honerkamp.
Drawing inspiration from vintage photographs, childhood memories and the exuberant choreography of classic Busby Berkeley musicals, Dean transforms familiar summer rituals into imaginative works celebrating the joy, freedom and beauty of life in and around the water.
Encaustic with layered toner transfers on cradled wood panel. Photo courtesy of WACH
Dean received her BFA from the University of Georgia and her MFA from Cornell University. Before pursuing visual art full time, she spent 15 years performing and recording music in New York City for Rounder Records and Diesel Only Records. After relocating to Providence, Rhode Island, she developed a distinctive painting technique that layers ink into molten beeswax, creating luminous works with remarkable depth and texture.
“I learned to swim when I was 2 years old,” Dean says. “We had a pool in our backyard, and my parents didn’t want me to drown. I can remember frantically dog-paddling my way to my father’s arms.”
Encaustic with layered toner transfers on cradled wood panel. Photo courtesy of WACH
She recalls childhood trips to Florida, where watching the famous Weeki Wachee mermaids sparked her imagination.
“I dreamt of swimming with Flipper,” she says.
For Dean, water represents far more than a summer pastime.
“The water’s edge is traditionally the border of fantasy lands, mythic countries and visionary possibilities,” she says. “Using this layering technique allows the viewer to see deep within the painting, drawn into a fantastic world of undersea realms and timeless wonder.”
Splash is on view through Aug. 16 at the Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons, 2418 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
