Gallery brings diverse artists to Raleigh

One mustn't judge LUMP gallery either by its mundane, storefront appearance or by its uncommon namesake. The small, skinny exhibition room packs a big punch.

The inside is lined with plain, white walls that provide a neutral background for the artwork, and the gallery itself borders a welcoming area of downtown Raleigh, complete with street-side performers and coffee shops.

The space that LUMP inhabits was vacant until Bill Thelen, gallery curator and director, noticed the empty property and saw the potential for an art venue. Nine years later, LUMP has come a long way.

Thelen moved to Raleigh after originally setting up shows in San Francisco apartments. The drastic switch from one of the most prominent art centers in the country to what Thelen refers to as “a corner of rural America” was one of the biggest hurdles he has ever faced. LUMP features contemporary art, and although integration into the Raleigh community has been difficult, Thelen appreciates the opportunity offered by LUMP. “New York doesn’t need another contemporary art gallery,” Thelan remarks. “But by taking a risk and bringing a pocket of contemporary art to North Carolina, [he hopes] to expand people’s minds and expos[e] them to things that they would have not seen elsewhere.”

This oasis for the modern art community features month-long cycles of artists and exhibits. LUMP’s constant flow of art and artists befits Thelen’s goal of broadening one’s definition of art. Thelen has no limit to the type or style of art that grace the walls of LUMP: past exhibits included everything from installation to paintings and photography.

LUMP’s current exhibit is “Northern Lights,” which consists of the work of five Canadian artists who grew up together in the isolated town of Winnipeg, Canada. Although the styles of the different artists do not necessarily compliment each other, the unifying factor behind the artwork is Winnipeg, which acted as a collective source of inspiration for each artist. Daniel Dueck, one of the featured artists, described Winnipeg as “an environment that fosters developing talent due to the isolation.”

Out of this isolation, the artists have produced a medley of photographs and paper prints featuring every medium from paint to pencil. The wide array of subjects also adds to the eclectic nature of the exhibit. Although "Northern Lights" is unique, is it also representative of the bigger picture at LUMP. For a prospective viewer to fully appreciate the type of work that LUMP presents, one must be ready to enter the gallery with an open mind and a will to suspend belief.

The relationship between LUMP and its artists is one of mutual respect and understanding. Most of the emerging artists that display their work are younger and may find it difficult to gain exposure elsewhere. By showing their work at LUMP, they have the possibility of becoming more well known in the art world. Likewise, as LUMP opens its doors to different exhibits, it becomes more well known and has the opportunity to attract more artists. The feeling of camaraderie between LUMP and the artists is touching and adds an intimate aura to the environment. “The group could have gone to a New York venue and sold half their exhibit in the first night,” Dueck commented. But they “chose to come [to LUMP] because of the unique dynamics and the chance to make an impact.”