Tori Karpenko
Where Water Becomes Sky
Traver Gallery is pleased to present Where Water Becomes Sky, Tori Karpenko’s inaugural exhibition in our new Ship Canal location. Expanding his exploration of landscape, Karpenko pushes further into abstraction with a series of acrylic paintings on panel, sculptures, and his latest venture—reverse painting on glass. By layering and carving into multiple surfaces, he dissects color, shape, and depth, echoing the shifting refractions of light on water. The result is a dynamic interplay of transparency and form, where each piece reveals new visual possibilities.
Karpenko says of his work, “We are blessed in the Pacific Northwest with an abundance of high mountain lakes, crystalline in their purity. The surface of these reservoirs is one of nature’s most dynamically beautiful canvases and an intriguing challenge to paint.
“Constantly shifting with the wind, sun, and clouds, I have spent much time immersed in the alchemy of reflections dancing on alpine lakes. When perfectly still, the water mirrors its surroundings, with only subtle color shifts altered by depth. When it moves, even slightly, the image dissolves into abstraction—shapes stretch, break apart, and reform in endless variation.
“At the water’s surface, the reflection loosens and reveals a portal to another world. Whereas the sky constantly changes above, the depths below hold remnants of time—mountain artifacts resting undisturbed for centuries. This meeting of fleeting movement and grounded stillness is the magic of where water becomes sky.”
We are excited to share Where Water Becomes Sky by Tori Karpenko with you at our Grand Opening event on April 5th from 3–7 pm.
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About
Tori Karpenko - view profile
Tori Karpenko received his BFA from Drake University, where he majored in Painting and graduated cum laude. During his sophomore year, he attended the Lorenzo de Medici Institute of Italian Studies in Florence, Italy.
Since moving to Washington in 2000, Tori has exhibited his work regionally in the Pacific Northwest. In 2001, Tori joined the Confluence Gallery and Art Center’s Board of Directors, and he was elected Chairman in 2002. Since 2003, he has been active on the Methow Arts teaching roster, where he has led several dynamic learning experiences in the public school system. Since 2008, he has served as a regional ambassador for Artist Trust.
In 2011, Tori began working for TwispWorks, a community inspired project that is repurposing a 6.5 acre, multi-building complex formerly used by the US Forest Service. This complex will be transformed into a hub for creative enterprise. As Director of Campus Operations, Tori manages the building renovations, oversees the Artist in Residence Program, develops a destination education program, and directs numerous cultural events throughout the year.
Tori received funding from Artist Trust through the Grants for Artists Projects to transport and show The Lookout at Traver Gallery. The Lookout is a cathartic work from a time of personal crisis when Tori found solace in mountain solitude. The result of his studio practice during this time of healing is twenty paintings that explore the transformative power of solitude and quiet contemplation in raw wilderness.