By Brian Goslow Worcester, MASS -- While he’s now best known for his large abstract paintings, David Skillicorn’s artistic career began as a videographer and documentary filmmaker in the 1970s. It was during a 1998 visit to Cape Cod to film master painter Steve Allrich at dawn that, inspired by watching the process in which a few strokes transformed a blank canvas into “absolute magic,” that he decided to trade his camera and gear for brushes and canvas – but not before completing his project, which became “Cape Cod: Through Artists Eyes,” which aired on Channel Five in Boston. Over the past two decades, as an artist, Skillicorn’s built a strong portfolio of abstract paintings and found success on both the East and West Coast. His work can currently be seen alongside that of Alicia Blaze Hunsicker, Gary Niswonger, Laura Radwell, Marlene Rye and KC Scott in the “Out of the West: … [Read more...] about CORNERED: DAVID SKILLICORN
Visual Arts
ROBERSON JOSEPH’S “HAITI IN CONTEXT: THE DAILY LIFE” AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY’S SHERRILL LIBRARY
By Sabrina Garvin CAMBRIDGE, MASS. --– A little bit of Haiti has appeared in the quiet atrium of Lesley University’s Sherrill Library through “Haiti in Context: A Daily Life,” a collection of large, vibrant paintings by Roberson Joseph depicting Haitian life that currently adorns its walls. Holding an enormous presence, the paintings are teaming with dramatic colors and are heavy with fantastical realism. Depicting love, family, fun, tragedy, sadness and everyday life in Haiti, these paintings combine realism-centered images of the common people with the glorification of nature and dizzying backgrounds of romanticism. This exhibit must be seen in person, as neither pictures nor words can do justice to the pure magnitude of these paintings. Joseph’s “Hurricane” (acrylic on canvas, 36” x 48”) presents the scene of a flooded town after a hurricane. The painting centers on a man … [Read more...] about ROBERSON JOSEPH’S “HAITI IN CONTEXT: THE DAILY LIFE” AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY’S SHERRILL LIBRARY
ARTSCOPE REVIEW: BRICKBOTTOM’S 30TH ANNUAL OPEN STUDIOS
By Sabrina Garvin SOMERVILLE, MASS. --- At this year’s Brickbottom Open Studios, held on November 18-19, there was so much artwork it was dripping from the staircases. As one of the largest, oldest and most well-attended open studios events, there was something for just about anyone’s artistic tastes, from elegant photographs, jewelry, oil paintings and pottery to remarkable found art, large installations, kinetic sculptures and mosaics. The Brickbottom Artist Association’s membership covers an incredible range of art forms and styles. Mix in live music and great snacks with crowds of excited people and artists, and that formula is the recipe for one awesome weekend-long art party. With over 70 artists’ studios in three repurposed A&P Grocery factory buildings, and its main gallery open to the public, there was plenty to do and look at. The Brickbottom Gallery itself held … [Read more...] about ARTSCOPE REVIEW: BRICKBOTTOM’S 30TH ANNUAL OPEN STUDIOS
DONNA DODSON’S MAKING CONNECTIONS … IN TAIWAN
(In our September/October 2017 issue, Donna Dodson wrote of her experience at the Ringkobing International Woodcarving Symposium in Denmark. In this follow-up report, along with husband Andy Moerlein (collectively known as The Myth Makers), she travels to Taiwan for the International Marine Environmental Art where they create an outside sculpture as Artists in Residence at the Keelung National Museum of Marine Science and Technology). KEELUNG CITY, TAIWAN -- August, The Myth Makers were invited to be the Artists in Residence at the Keelung National Museum of Marine Science & Technology in Taiwan. Organized by Jane Ingram Allen, this International Marine Environmental Art Project invites artists from the USA, Europe and Taiwan to complete monumental public works that connect art and science. We worked with three groups of volunteers to complete our project on site. We also … [Read more...] about DONNA DODSON’S MAKING CONNECTIONS … IN TAIWAN
CORNERED: TRACY HAYES DISORDER/REORDER AT THE BROMFIELD GALLERY
Boston, MA - Tracy Hayes’ first Boston solo show takes place this November at the Bromfield Gallery in the SoWa District. In her artist statement, she notes that her current work explores connections and the emergence of patterns in the intersections of lines, textures and values in her attempt to comprehend the contradictions and stressors of daily life. “In an increasingly complicated, varied and noisy environment, I am concerned with role of individual voice,” she notes. On the eve of her opening reception, Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow “Cornered” her to discuss her successful 2017 (which included exhibitions at the Milton Art Center, Three Stones Gallery, Amherst (NH) Town Library, Cambridge Art Association, Fort Point Arts Community Gallery, Derryfield School and the Nashua Art Walk) and how those experiences helped her prepare for her first major show. YOUR WORK HAS … [Read more...] about CORNERED: TRACY HAYES DISORDER/REORDER AT THE BROMFIELD GALLERY
THE HUNTINGTON THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS A GUIDE FOR THE HOMESICK
By James Foritano BOSTON, MA -- How best to introduce a play reeking with the ambiguities and ambivalences of the human situation is perhaps to start with a few paragraphs of bare facts. The title of the play under review is “A Guide for the Homesick” by playwright Ken Urban. Its current run takes place from October 6 through November at the Huntington Theatre Company’s new South End venue, the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. The main actors on stage are Mckinley Belcher III, playing “Teddy,” and Samuel H. Levine, playing “Jeremy,” under the direction of Colman Domingo. The setting and time are Amsterdam. Teddy’s hotel room. Evening and the following morning. January 2011. All these bare facts come together in a most accommodating and highly professional manner to hand the attending audience (you and me) a “guide” that is so “hot” you have to keep tossing … [Read more...] about THE HUNTINGTON THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS A GUIDE FOR THE HOMESICK