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New England's Culture Magazine

Artscope Magazine | November/December 2020

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craft

WORKING PAPER: TODD BARTEL AND JACK MASSEY AT HERA GALLERY

// Artscope Online, Current Exhibits, Visual Arts

by J. Fatima Martins

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

ESKIN AT GALATEA: FINDING ABSTRACT LANDING SPACE

// Artscope Online, Current Issue, Exhibits, Featured, Featured, September/October 2019, Visual Arts

by James Foritano

Barbara Eskin professes to chart disasters without a leg to stand on —  multiple disasters, pieces flying everywhere. Before you think about her person — “What a pessimist!” and about her art: “What a downer!” — listen to some history. Eskin was born in Germany during the waning years of the Second World War. She was taken out of Germany by her parents when still a toddler, and then before she came to America, 20-some years ago, she was a resident of multiple European countries where she picked up a taste for languages and literature. A teacher by vocation and a canny European by upbringing, she has strong opinions which rarely veer towards the dogmatic, and, if they do, find little landing place. I’m looking at “In Pieces (4)” — a dynamo of vectors strong enough to bend its frame — yet all within a boundary of 24 x 30 inches. Perhaps boundaries are as good a concept as any to … [Read more...] about ESKIN AT GALATEA: FINDING ABSTRACT LANDING SPACE

BETH MCLAUGHLIN & SUZANNE RAMLJAK: FULLER’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY IS PURE GOLD

// Artscope Online, Exhibits, Featured, Featured, September/October 2019, Visual Arts

Founded in 1969, the Fuller Craft Museum begins the celebration of its 50th year with the opening of “Striking Gold: Fuller at Fifty” on September 7, and its 50th Anniversary Gala that takes place on Saturday, October 19. The landmark exhibition aims to celebrate the museum’s rich past and provide a look at its future direction through the works of 57 artists for whom gold is central to their work. The exhibition was co-curated by Fuller Craft Museum Chief Curator Beth McLaughlin (BM) and Suzanne Ramljak (SR), an art historian, writer, curator and former editor of Metalsmith magazine. Artscope Magazine’s managing editor, Brian Goslow, shared questions with them on the exhibition and the museum’s anniversary. How was “Striking Gold” selected as the theme for “Fuller At Fifty?” BETH MCLAUGHLIN (BM): A few years back, we started discussing Fuller Craft’s upcoming 50th anniversary and … [Read more...] about BETH MCLAUGHLIN & SUZANNE RAMLJAK: FULLER’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY IS PURE GOLD

A TEACHABLE MOMENT: 10 YEAR MAINE CRAFTS RETROSPECTIVE AT FULLER

// Current Issue, Issue Articles, July/August 2019

by Beth Neville

Is it “craft” or “fine art?” This old distinction is blurred in “Ten Years of Master Craft Artists” at the Fuller Craft Museum. Five craftspersons from the Maine Crafts Association exhibit works that are traditionally utilitarian, while 12 others look more like fine art. Tom Ferrero deserves the “Master Craft Artist, 2019” award he received for his “Collar of the Chancellor,” a silver and steel necklace. This circular, sculptural piece may be worn as a necklace, or the collar could be used as a table decoration surrounding a floral bouquet. Ferrero states that his inspiration derives from “Star Wars” movies. However, the basic motif of embellished leaves or shields surrounded by engraved grain stalks also recalls the Art Nouveau movement and Tiffany designs. “Traditional Maine Birchbark Canoe” by Steve Cayard is a functional, full-scale canoe in the traditional style of Penobscot … [Read more...] about A TEACHABLE MOMENT: 10 YEAR MAINE CRAFTS RETROSPECTIVE AT FULLER

Thom Walsh, Sleigh Endings Love Seat. Photo credit, Bill Truslow.

New Hampshire Furniture Masters Pop Up in Boston

// Exhibits, News, Visual Arts

By Puloma Ghosh Boston, MA – Through the large windows of 127 Newbury Street, several impressive pieces of furniture gaze down at the street below. This is not a shop front; it is a unique artistic experience provided by the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association, open only for a couple of weeks in this Pop-Up Gallery. Every piece stands out with the singular vision of each craftsman. The variety of furniture displays the range of skill that can be found in the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association. The quality of work is impeccable with an apparent attention to detail each artist bestows on his or her work. The artists are both full members of the association and emerging artists who have been working for only three to four years (as opposed to a furniture master’s 10), showcasing both seasoned professionals and fresh talent in the industry. Emerging artist Greg … [Read more...] about New Hampshire Furniture Masters Pop Up in Boston