“DAFFODILS”: This work by Martin Schwartz is part of “Painterly Flora,” his collection featured in “Two Artists, Two Views of the World,” on view March 5 through March 27 at Gallery 14 in Hopewell.

Gallery 14 in Hopewell presents “Two Artists, Two Views of the World,” by two member artists, John Clarke of Hopewell and Martin “Marty” Schwartz of West Windsor. The exhibit will be on view March 5 through March 27.

“Street Vibe” is a collection of 22 black-and-white photos made by Clarke that depict the emotions, gestures, and activities one encounters in urban locations.

“There is a rich romance to urban street life,” said Clarke. “Streets are where we walk to see and be seen. They are places of commerce where we go to buy and sell the necessities of daily life. Streets, parks, and public places are also where we go to take a break from the stress of urban life.”

Clarke said he is inspired by some of the acknowledged masters of black-and-white street photography including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Fan Ho, and Robert Frank. Clarke is a retired architect, and his design background is evident in the composition of his street images strong use of geometry. He is drawn to the inherent abstract quality of black-and-white photos.

New Orleans, 2020

“STREET BAND”: This photograph by John Clarke is part of “Street Vibe,” his collection of works featured in “Two Artists, Two Views of the World,” on view March 5 through March 27 at Gallery 14 in Hopewell.

During his retirement from architectural practice, he has had time to attend photo workshops with leading street photographers of our time —including Jeff Mermelstein, Peter Turnley, and Dotan Saguy — and has developed his own style and reputation as a street photographer. His exhibit will be in the main gallery.

Clarke and his wife Susan live in a small house he designed in Hopewell, and he has been a member of Gallery 14 for the past 8 years. He looks forward to traveling again after the pandemic has subsided.

In a direct contrast, Schwartz’s “Painterly Flora” will be a bright and colorful presentation of “recycled” images from his many years of photography. A retired dentist, Schwartz is a longtime member of Gallery 14.

“About 20 years ago I came across the photographs of Sonja Bullaty in her book Provence,” said Schwartz. “The images within were very different from usual photographs, they had a painterly effect. They so struck me I decided that I would try to create similar effects in my images.”

Using the tools and software available today, Schwartz has looked back into his library to create new and dynamic images that many people will refer to as “digital art.” But like all photographs they are simply reworked and processed images using the new digital darkroom to create stunning photographic images.

Gallery 14 is a co-op gallery promoting fine art photography as an art form. It is located at 14 Mercer Street in Hopewell, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit gallery14.org.