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Biblion opens art exhibit to fool the eye starting April 1

March 29, 2013

Biblion: used books and rare finds at Second and Market streets in Lewes is hosting a trompe l’oeil art show opening Monday, April 1, featuring local artist Caryl Williams’ Fakeit! creations. Translated “eye-deceiver,” trompe l’oeil is two-dimensional painting that uses realism to create the illusion of three-dimensional objects.

“This is event is a perfect way for us to celebrate April Fools’ Day and the second anniversary of our ‘grandish’ opening,” said Biblion owner Jen Mason. “Caryl has had a lot of fun making some special pieces for this show, including a famous author; and we expect that our guests will also have fun discovering her whimsical and beautiful paintings throughout the shop.”

“The first recorded trompe l’oeil pieces go back to classical times,” said Williams. “My favorite story about the work involves a competition between two artists of that time. The first artist painted a bowl of fruit and birds flew down, thinking the fruit to be real. ‘My painting is the best,’ the first artist declared, ‘for I fooled the birds.’ ‘You have not even seen my painting,’ countered the second artist. ‘How can I see yours?’ questioned the first artist, ‘You have not removed the drapery over your painting.’ The second artist then announced, ‘I win, for you fooled birds but I fooled a human. The painting is the drapery and cannot be removed.’”

“I first saw Caryl’s work at her vacation home in Lewes,” said Mason. “There were ‘fresh’ flowers and ‘live’ plants that never withered displayed throughout the house. I thought it was such a clever way to decorate the space, adding a low-maintenance homey touch.”

Trompe l’oeil pieces can be found around the town of Lewes as well. The foundation of the Inn at Canal Square cleverly fools many causal glances, and a trompe l’oeil wooden boat house sits along Pilottown Road.

Biblion is open daily year-round. Find Caryl Williams pieces featured there throughout the month of April. For more information, call 302-644-2210 or go to BiblionBooks.com.

 

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