Twenty-five years ago, Vincent Crotty left his native Ireland and emigrated to Dorchester where he discovered a “land of opportunity” and a mentor who recognized his painting talents and counseled, “If you want to be an artist, start working on it now!” He picked up his brushes and has been developing his skills ever since. Eight years ago, he became an American citizen. Recording American cities’ back alleys and working-class life dates back to the early 20th century New York-based “Ashcan School” of Robert Henri and George Luks; Crotty continues this tradition through his own works. He paints outside on location in the mode of plein air painting but his strongest work breaks away from its romantic scenes. He paints Boston’s working-class houses and streets, and the economic struggles and the hard-work ethic of people who live there. Edward Hopper’s lonely-person paintings immediately … [Read more...] about WORKING CLASS HERO: CROTTY MAKES THE GRITTY MAGNIFICENT
Current Issue
CONFIDENCE AT ARTPROV: A SOPHISTICATED PRESENTATION
Marjorie Hellman, Ken Steinkamp and Adam Waimon exhibit in solo situations at ArtProv Gallery through January 19. For collectors and other visitors, this means one artist per room. The arrangement allows for a luxurious feeling of immersion in which to contemplate each artist’s strengths. The solo hanging approach is a subtle evolution for the gallery and expresses confidence in the conceptual integrity of the works of these artists who ArtProv Director Michele Aucoin has represented for three years or more. The gallery has a trio of exhibition rooms. Combined, they offer visitors an opportunity to consider how specific artworks might look in their urban loft, traditional home or office setting. ArtProv’s walls, in some cases, have color — something that is often used as a museum display aid. As a gallery, ArtProv is sophisticated with a high level of presentation expertise and … [Read more...] about CONFIDENCE AT ARTPROV: A SOPHISTICATED PRESENTATION
WORTH THE TRIP NORTH: 4TH ARTS CONNECT HAS A HOMETOWN FEEL
When it’s too cold to ski and you’re so over roasting chestnuts in an open fire, yet yearn for something to do that doesn’t involve staring at a device screen, pack the kids and the dog into the car and head to Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. Yes, it’s 50 miles and an hour from a Starbucks outpost, but the drive along snowy landscapes is meditative and worth every mile traveled when you get to your destination. This part of Vermont is called the Northeast Kingdom, for a reason. Within walking distance on and around Main Street, you will find the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, the Athenaeum Library and Gallery and the Catamount Arts Center which is currently showing juried works by 76 regional artists in its Rankin and Fried Family galleries. Up the road is Stephen Huneck’s Dog Mountain Gallery, Studio and Dog Chapel. The Fairbanks family left a legacy in Saint Johnsbury. The family made a … [Read more...] about WORTH THE TRIP NORTH: 4TH ARTS CONNECT HAS A HOMETOWN FEEL
A DOUBLE SOLO: 2019 SOLO COMPETITION AT BROMFIELD
“The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself.” — Washington Allston When Howard Yezerski, owner of Howard Yezerski Gallery, was asked to be juror of the Bromfield Gallery’s 2019 “SOLO” competition, he was unsure of how the process would work. Sponsored annually by the artist-run gallery in Boston’s South End, the “SOLO” competition offers an advancing opportunity for New England artists without prior gallery representation to exhibit their work in an established gallery setting. “I was asked to come up with five finalists from a selection of 119 artists, all who submitted around five images each,” said Yezerski, who has been a gallery owner since 1968. “The process involved going through the list around five times; each time winnowing it down until I had five finalists. Once we had the five, the artists were asked to bring the work into Bromfield Gallery where I would … [Read more...] about A DOUBLE SOLO: 2019 SOLO COMPETITION AT BROMFIELD
A FEBRUARY TRIFECTA: SIGNS OF GROWTH IN BOSTON’S SOWA DISTRICT
Three artists are showing in the Kingston Gallery’s three gallery spaces during the cold month of February. Each brings back from a life of art well-ripened visions like fine wines or whatever analogy you prefer to represent experience thoroughly tasted and crafted. From a residency at the Hambidge Center in North Georgia about a decade ago, photographer Hilary Tolan has brought back a Rhododendron forest, lush with natural vigor, marinated in the slow juices of artistic contemplation for a mid-winter solo exhibition titled “Emerge.” Let’s start at the beginning. On repeated days, Tolan packed a snack and headed into the depths of a forest of towering Rhododendrons, tall and lush as only Georgia sunshine and soil can produce. Sometimes, Tolan caught molten pools of sunlight burning in dark depths of leaf and branch; at other times, in even darker places, the scene was partially … [Read more...] about A FEBRUARY TRIFECTA: SIGNS OF GROWTH IN BOSTON’S SOWA DISTRICT
FINE ART VS. DECORATIVE ART?: MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTISANS JOIN THE DEBATE
There often is a distinction drawn between “decorative art” and “fine art.” Decorative art, such as ceramics, furniture, jewelry and textiles, is meant to be beautiful as well as useful, whereas fine art — including paintings, sculpture, drawings, watercolor, graphics, and architecture — is considered to be created for aesthetic purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of your definition, my opinion is that fine art is in the eye of the beholder. Artwork that engages and excites the viewer — that entertains an “emotional touch point,” that “speaks to me,” is my fine art. We’re all entitled to our opinions. I also believe art — notice I didn’t specify “fine” or “decorative” — hinges definitively on the creative process. If the artist or artisan grows, refines and fuels their passion for their art and craft, then that’s their expression of … [Read more...] about FINE ART VS. DECORATIVE ART?: MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTISANS JOIN THE DEBATE