By: Rodney Sparrow
Charles Saffati’s Carlton Fine Arts hosted a radiant opening reception for acclaimed lighting guru Bentley Meeker’s latest exhibition, “Veluminosity,” which transformed the gallery’s third floor into a captivating world of color and light. The immersive solo show, on view from November 5 through December 5, features a selection of innovative light wall sculptures that continue to explore Meeker’s investigation into color temperature, luminosity, and the emotional resonance of illumination. Guests were treated to an evening where art and atmosphere blended seamlessly, sipping Aphrodise sparkling rosé as they mingled among the glowing installations and admired Meeker’s ability to elevate light into a form of sculpture. The exhibition invites visitors to experience the intersection of art and technology in an entirely new way, highlighting how light itself can shape perceptions and evoke deep emotional responses.
The artist, long celebrated for his experimental approach to lighting as an art form, has developed an impressive career that spans decades and disciplines. Meeker has exhibited at major institutions including the Whitney Museum of Art, the Southampton Center for the Arts, the National Arts Club, and the CORE Club. His large-scale public art projects, such as “The H in Harlem” and several illuminated installations at Burning Man, have garnered recognition and critical acclaim on an international scale. Notably, Meeker was commissioned by former First Lady Michelle Obama to create a bespoke light sculpture for the Nordic States State Dinner at the White House, demonstrating his ability to merge artistic innovation with cultural significance. His work continues to inspire the next generation of artists and lighting designers, creating a lasting impact on the intersection of art and functionality.
In addition to his fine art practice, Meeker is the President and Founder of Bentley Meeker Lighting & Staging (BMLS) and Bentley House Studios. For more than 35 years, he has contributed to events, concerts, galas, and fashion shows through light, creating over ten thousand unique experiences for clients ranging from Paul McCartney, Prince, and Rihanna to Ralph Lauren, Madonna, and Karl Lagerfeld. His work has illuminated some of the most memorable celebrations in modern history, including Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and milestone birthday parties, as well as numerous Clinton family events. He also designed the lighting for Rudy Giuliani’s most recent wedding. His book, “Light X Design” (Glitterati, April 2011), offers insights into his creative process and showcases the many venues he has helped transform through the magic of light. The book also delves into the challenges of designing lighting for large-scale events, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of this highly specialized art form.
At the “Veluminosity” opening, the crowd reflected the artist’s wide-reaching influence, blending figures from art, design, media, and society. Among those in attendance were Annie Dietz, Laura Magic Weyl, Becca Gottlieb, Jenny Piersol, Signe Drulla, Nadja Sayej, Heather Tazza, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Dan Shedrick, Paul Mas, Erin Spears, Jeff Ledford, Dimitri Perara, Bibi Tran, Jedi Master, Jeremy Brown, Justin Cho, Christine Hauer, Dan Stock, Jennifer Tran, Margo Langenberg, R. Couri Hay, Kristen Ginn, Marta Eliza, Bentley Meeker, Carolyna Manni, Prince Charles, Oana Salusbury, Cris Ciacon, Tatiana Didus, Hilary Dare, Carmel Snow, and Khloe Obrien.
Founded in 1969, Carlton Fine Arts remains a family-owned and operated gallery committed to presenting Pop Art and Modern Masters. With locations on Madison and Fifth Avenues, the gallery’s five-level flagship space continues to serve as one of New York’s premier destinations for contemporary and modern art. Meeker’s exhibition, with all works available for purchase, can be viewed at Carlton Fine Arts Ltd., 543 Madison Avenue, New York City. Exhibition hours are Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, or by appointment.
