In a nod to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Focus on the Past exhibition at the Attleboro Arts Museum will include eight artifacts from the museum vault that relate to U.S. History or were created by iconic United States artists or represent a slice of America’s past. The 77 artists who responded to this call were invited because they were juried into one or more “8 Visions” exhibition(s) since 2006.
According to Executive Director and Chief Curator Mim Fawcett, eachof the eight artifacts will be surrounded by contemporary artwork responses. Fawcett designed the call to ensure that all the artifacts would get a response by having each artist select two and then she assigned the final pairings. She reports that on average each item has 10 corresponding works.
Imagine being asked to create new work within your own artistic medium inspired by one of these eight selections from the Attleboro Arts Museum vault:
— Pledge of 1776, Document Signed by 60 Men of Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
— Washington Family (1835–1856), hand-tinted lithograph.
— Civil War United States Army Belt for Sword, c. 1863.
— Thomas Hart Benton (American 1889-1975), “Ploughing it Under,” 1934, lithograph.
— Grant Wood (American 1891-1942), “Tree Planting Group,” 1937, lithograph.
— Robert Gwathmey (American 1903–1988), “Plant A Victory Garden,” 1943, World War II Conservation Poster.
— Al Hirschfeld (American 1903–2003), “Algonquin Round Table,” 1962, limited edition etching.
— Barbara Corrigan (American 1922-2012), “Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial,” 1987, Gouache.