An art exhibit opening! What a fun way to cheer up a rainy fall afternoon. The Nesto Gallery at Milton Academy lures its student audience with generous cheese and crackers and the kids are thrilled to meet artists like Pamela R. Tarbell. A retired gallery owner, she is dressed in an exuberant jacket that matches her equally exuberant paintings. An outdoor sculpture exhibit, “All Creatures Great and Small,” adds to the fun and the sculptors are willing to go out in the rain to have their photos taken with some students. Tarbell’s brightly colored paintings fill the small gallery with floral imagery, and memories of pleasant times on beaches and in gardens. “Fernland #1” is a fine example. Closely observed ferns of different species are enlarged and dance across the canvas. Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Flowers” would be the ideal background music. On the left side of the large two-part … [Read more...] about PAMELA TARBELL: PAINTINGS NOW AND THEN AND “CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL AT THE NESTO GALLERY AT MILTON ACADEMY
Visual Arts
THE CRUCIBLE AT CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER
After seeing Arthur Miller’s classic drama “The Crucible” at the Central Square Theater, I was hunting in my mind for an image which would summarize and elucidate its frenetic action when I found myself standing under a study, old Poplar tree in a local park. A breeze suddenly swept through the park, not only swaying the tree’s long sturdy branches, but also setting every leaf on the Poplar shifting from its light to its dark side. I remember reading once that the stem of each Poplar leaf is so peculiarly attached to the main body of the leaf as to enable this unique and striking shiver or trembling in the wind. William Bradford, fresh off the Mayflower, described Massachusetts in 1620 as “a hideous and desolate wilderness full of wild beasts and wild men.” Not a promising prospect. And yet, Bradford tackled his fears head-on. After a reportedly terrible first winter, Bradford was … [Read more...] about THE CRUCIBLE AT CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER
WORKING PAPER: TODD BARTEL AND JACK MASSEY AT HERA GALLERY
As expected from the complex minds of Todd Bartel and Jack Massey comes “working PAPER,” an exhibition that counterpoints two visually different styles of collage art, that are the same in their intellectually challenging requirement. In “working PAPER,” Bartel presents his signature mode — substantially worked, layered, beautiful and soulful vintage papers from a variety of literary sources requiring focused and physical reading from the viewer, while Massey does the opposite — engage the viewer with emotive minimalism with carefully and simply collaged mixed media, also worked papers, requiring playfulness and calm contemplation. Bartel bombards the reader with real physical content, while Massey hits his viewers with open-ended questions. Overall, the exhibition theme is landscape: external for Bartel, through direct connective points; internal for Massey, with subtle and private … [Read more...] about WORKING PAPER: TODD BARTEL AND JACK MASSEY AT HERA GALLERY
ART DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE GLOBALLY: THE NEW MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE GALLERY
The Middle East Institute (MEI), based in Washington, D.C., launched its highly-anticipated gallery for Contemporary Middle Eastern Art on September 13. Featuring socially engaged work by seventeen artists, from Morocco to Afghanistan, spanning video, painting, sculpture, installation and performance, the artists’ inspirations, from Sufi poetry to folk art and popular culture challenge stereotyped identities while celebrating cross-cultural influences, breaking down political, linguistic and religious borders. In a town rich with galleries and institutes, the new gallery at MEI brings a different kind of diplomacy. Talking about the art with old and new friends and strangers, standing shoulder to shoulder with those of all differences, attitudes, nationalities and opinions, it is empathy for the human condition that holds us together. Talking to each other, crying together, … [Read more...] about ART DRIVING SOCIAL CHANGE GLOBALLY: THE NEW MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE GALLERY
Step into the Studio: SOWA September 21-22
A variety of art from over 200 artists resides in SOWA, the South End’s art district and this sunny weekend, the artists open their doors for an excursion that the whole family can experience. Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm marks the start of the fall season of open studios, where visitors can wander through old factory buildings which have been renovated into artists’ studios. This is a unique event to meet artists behind their craft, whether it be painting, wire art, jewelry making, or repurposed natural materials. Visitors can observe artists in their creative environments and discover the process of a piece’s creation or purchase a piece that speaks to them. In studio 219 of 450 Harrison Ave, Ann Strassman, displays realistic acrylic paintings on corrugated cardboard that reflect everyday portraits of street life. She recycles cardboard in her own way in her wide open studio … [Read more...] about Step into the Studio: SOWA September 21-22
AMERICA REVEALED: LIE OF THE LAND AND STRENGTH IN UNITY AT BOSTON SCULPTORS GALLERY
Christopher Abrams’ “Lie of the Land” and Christina Zwart’s “Strength in Unity” arrive out of our collective anxiety and offer a question: how did we as an American people get ourselves into the political, cultural and economic situation we are in now? For Abrams, the answers are in American history. His mini-dioramas spotlight the elements of American nation-building and the transformation of a constructed identity. For Zwart, the answers are found in cultural understanding, core values, and civilizing actions. Her monumental bundle of painted tree branches function as a communication tool — a warning, telling us how we should behave if we want to survive. Together the two artists encourage an examination of important keywords: Lie and Strength, and Land and Unity. “Lie of the Land” is an installation of five, skillfully crafted, mini-dioramas: “State of the Union,” … [Read more...] about AMERICA REVEALED: LIE OF THE LAND AND STRENGTH IN UNITY AT BOSTON SCULPTORS GALLERY