FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2025
Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery brings Shirley Yang Crutchfield’s gilded paintings to their new gallery space
in Sun Valley, Idaho, to host an artist talk & live gilding session
Shirley Yang Crutchfield debuts latest collection during Sun Valley’s wine walk weekend
Rose Gold, 24K gold leaf and oil on wood panel, 12 x 12 in
Sun Valley, ID – Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery presents artist Shirley Yang Crutchfield and her water gilded paintings in their new gallery space for the Sun Valley Gallery Association wine walk weekend and a special event.
On Saturday, August 30th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Shirley Yang Crutchfield will be introduced by Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery for a special meet-and-greet and mingle event with art enthusiasts over coffee and mimosas, exhibiting new artworks, followed by an artist talk, audience Q&A, and live painting session demonstrating the water gilding process. This event comes on the heels of Friday’s Sun Valley Gallery Association wine walk on August 29th.
Part of her ongoing series using water gilding and other Renaissance-inspired processes like pastiglia and sgraffito, Shirley Yang Crutchfield’s paintings reveal the inner strength of women and what it means to be iconic in our contemporary moment. Water gilding is a meticulous and intricate process that flourished during the Renaissance as a method to adhere gold leaf to a surface using water-based adhesive. Remarkably different from modern methods that often opt for quick adhesives, the finish of Shirley Yang Crutchfield’s paintings underscore a commitment to skill, patience and tenacity—all themes that radiate from her figures and detail work.
These gilded, golden paintings highlight the challenges and dedication of women who have worked their way to success—many of whom are her peers in various industries—mirroring Shirley Yang Crutchfield’s own journey as a successful tech founder to a self-taught, exhibiting artist.
Shirley Yang Crutchfield, courtesy of the artist
Event Details
Saturday, August 30th, 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Event access is free. RSVP required, limited capacity.
About Shirley Yang Crutchfield
Shirley Yang Crutchfield is a Chicago-based artist who integrates her dynamic career as a tech entrepreneur with her passion for creating art. She has been awarded multiple international art prizes, recognizing her exceptional talent and vision. Shirley started her career as a successful tech founder and executive. She sold her company to follow her childhood aspiration of becoming an artist.
Her work is influenced by Byzantine art, Baroque and contemporary aesthetics, fashion, and the portrayal of strong female figures. Previously as a female entrepreneur navigating a competitive industry, Shirley’s experiences inspire her to create narratives that highlight the hard work, tenacity and perseverance required to reach the top.
Shirley successfully employs the traditional 14th-century Italian water gilding technique, “doratura a guazzo,” in her art, acquired from Master Guilders worldwide. This expertise allows her to craft astonishingly detailed works adorned with 24K gold leaf, elevating her paintings in realms of beauty and significance. Through her art, her detailed craftsmanship and use of materials, she celebrates the strength and resilience behind success, inviting viewers to appreciate the stories that lie beneath the surface.
Website: https://www.shirley.gallery
Instagram: @shirley
About Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery
Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery represents a dynamic roster of artists, both established and mid-career, encompassing a diversity of styles and mediums reflecting the vibrant tapestry of the contemporary art landscape.
Website: https://www.sunvalleyart.com
Instagram: @sunvalleycontemporarygallery