“Proliferating” welcomes guests into a world of never-ending growth. Created as an experiment back in the summer of 2017, “Proliferating” has grown into a full-fledged exhibition. It is a must-see in person, as the pieces are brought to life by the subtle detailing within each creation. Kalloch uses a layering process to capture fine detail by allowing acrylic paint to bubble between layers of epoxy resin. Though resin is typically a time-consuming material to work with, Kalloch finds the process to be almost meditative, stating: “It provides a balance of structure and chaos that is fulfilling to me. It demands self-discipline and satisfies a desire to continually improve my workmanship and developing new ideas.” Each painting in the series appears to be continuously expanding and growing, with an almost uniform cohesion in the detailing. Though the photos had no moving elements, … [Read more...] about Exhibition Review: Sand T Kalloch “Proliferating” at Bromfield Gallery
Mixed Media
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
DOUGLAS BREAULT: SOFT FOCUS AT FORT POINT ARTS COMMUNITY MAIN GALLERY
On view now through August 5, eight mixed media collage works, including a sculpture, by Douglas Breault, are featured in “Soft Focus,” an exhibition at the Fort Point Arts Community Main Gallery showing some of the best approaches to contemporary conceptual art happening right now. The works on view are a perfect blending of physicality and intellectualism. Breault is a visual composer of subtle narratives, at first appearing completely abstract engaging only form and materials, but then slowly revealing poignant, mysterious and poetic stories. For Breault, the art arrives from a place of realism. From a solid place, he allows the materials themselves to express their true rawness and emotive situations to live and expand out, transmuting into unexpected ideas. What appears as happenstance and chaos is organized, purposeful and planned. From physical real points, Breault then pushes … [Read more...] about DOUGLAS BREAULT: SOFT FOCUS AT FORT POINT ARTS COMMUNITY MAIN GALLERY
Under the Surface: Nedret Andre’s ‘Seagrass: Ecological Engineers’ at Hess
Bold, whimsical lines and color travel across the canvases in Nedret Andre’s exhibit at Chestnut Hill’s Hess Galley. Stormy blues and fiery corals swirl and collide into each other, creating abstract forms and shapes. Andre’s oil paintings in the collection “Seagrass: Ecological Engineers” delve into the ethereal world of one of the most quickly deteriorating ecosystems on the planet—seagrass. When snorkeling, Andre witnessed this flowering plant thriving off of the sunlight cascading into the waters, giving life to thousands of sea creatures with its production of carbon for food and its safe habitat. This plant so vital to the health of coral reefs and estuaries unfortunately experiences the loss of two football fields worth each hour due to industrial fishing, invasive species and pollution. Andre captures the fragility, interconnectedness and enchantment of seagrass in “Bridge to … [Read more...] about Under the Surface: Nedret Andre’s ‘Seagrass: Ecological Engineers’ at Hess
Works on Paper at the South Shore Art Center
The Bancroft Gallery at South Shore Art Center’s current show is “Works on Paper,” juried by Andrew Witkin of Krakow Witkin Gallery. “Works on Paper” has a diverse set of pieces, the only common denominator of them being that they are paper. From hyper realistic watercolor to abstract cut-paper works, the show was dominated by a mix of media. Out of hundreds of artists’ submissions, only 50 works were picked by Witkin for the show, and seven of them given awards. “I was amazed at the breadth of exploration and the depth of involvement,” Witkin’s juror statement expressed. “My decisions are balanced between personal preferences and respect for the specifics of the wonderful diversity of art presented. The works show incredible creativity, dedication and skill.” Witkin asked that the award winners be honored equally; “In this era of intense judgement and separation, I hope this group … [Read more...] about Works on Paper at the South Shore Art Center
Ellie Brown: Holding on to a Dear Life
Alzheimer’s. A word that conjures up images of fear, isolation, confusion, and loss. In the United States today, 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million. Terminal illness is a painful topic — but this one strikes home for me. My father was recently, finally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, after years of ambiguous labels assigned to his memory loss and declining capacity to care for himself. I sat down with photographer and mixed media artist Ellie Brown to talk about Alzheimer’s, fathers and daughters, and art as a means of documenting, unpacking and transforming this disease. Brown’s upcoming show “Sundown,” at AS220 in Providence, encompasses all of these things. Brown’s own father, a tall, friendly and robust guy known for his love of music and acting, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2015 … [Read more...] about Ellie Brown: Holding on to a Dear Life