Most of the light that shines in a recently added atrium at Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) filters through an astonishing installation. Textured, sepia-toned and emblematic, the 6.5’ by 4’ flags that hang along the walls and from the ceiling of the space are representative of 188 countries. From afar, the works’ qualities (at once shining and fibrous; organic and fabricated) are hard to pin down. In fact, these flags’ primary material was sourced from almost as many nations as represented. They are each made of only three substances: Elmer’s glue, twine and human hair. Gu Wenda’s “United Nations,” on view at PEM through November 5, is an immersive exhibition rooted in some of the most pertinent themes in modern history. Identity, community, immigration, culture and diversity are all explored in this awe- inspiring exhibit. Using the dual symbolism of flags and human hair, the exhibition … [Read more...] about UNITY EMBODIED

With family-friendly attractions, and a purple sand beach, the beautiful coastal town of Newburyport, one of America’s oldest cities just 35 miles north of Boston, claims a historical charm. While most visitors might be attracted to its maritime components, seafood restaurants, and outdoor attractions, Newburyport is also home to a forward-thinking organization, the PEG Center for Art and Activism. Once a land of the Pawtucket tribe in 1630, Newburyport was destroyed by the fire of 1811, affected by the 1812 War, housed some of the wealthiest Americans, and as a port city, welcomed goods from all over the world. Today, through the PEG Center for Art & Activism, Newburyport is a role model for creating and welcoming initiatives to change the status quo and to promote awareness for advancing social justice, human rights and environmental causes that affect us all. With an extensive … [Read more...] about SHOULD WE AGREE TO DISAGREE?

The first time I heard the pejorative term “Karen” was when my brother described the segregation of my mother’s graduation party from Family Nurse Practitioner school. Other than my mother, there was a white section and a Black section, and they didn’t intermingle. My brother pointed at a woman with an asymmetrical bob and chunky blonde highlights. That’s her: a Karen. That was 2018. Since then, I’ve encountered Karens that come in all forms with more affective behavior. In Roche Bros., a Karen followed me around the store and complained that she was unable to see me because I was bundled up (like every other customer), another Karen went into a tizzy full of white tears and excluded me from class emails after I told her that saying the n-word in an art history class was highly inappropriate, the list goes on. Nationally, Karens are taking over, as evident in social media: causing … [Read more...] about SO, WHAT IS A KAREN?

“Fire and Ink,” featuring Hollis Engley’s pottery and Alice Nicholson Galick’s prints, will merge with Printmakers Network of Southern New England’s 30th anniversary at the Cahoon Museum of American Art in what curator Annie Dean called an exhibition of a “wide variety of intellectual and skilled artists and techniques.” With the prompt of “Pearls,” which is the title of the anniversary show, 20 artists will show a portfolio of 7” by 7” prints, whose individual styles should lead viewers to find other larger work alongside, including an 84” tall pochoir (stencil) piece by Amanda Lebel. There are samples of process and materials: copper plates, stencil and an interactive touch screen educating the public on how prints are made. Jo Yarrington will do a unique window installation using film, a first for the museum. Perhaps the common thread of all these exciting artworks is depth. … [Read more...] about AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE