Change, self-discovery, whimsy. These were some of the themes I pondered as I curated a section of the "Carte Blanche" art exhibition at the Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD. Adah Rose Bitterbaum, the gallery owner, kindly invited me to spend the afternoon of March 5 at her lovely space. Here is the story of that afternoon.
Having just returned from a trip to Florida and filled up on golden sunshine, my curation started with a fantastic yellow/pink piece by Chris Truman (the largest artwork on the wall). I grabbed it and it became a center piece of my visual exploration of, well, myself. Art is personal, isn't it? Thus, this curation revolves around the topics I think of these days. And you may too.
Having just returned from a trip to Florida and filled up on golden sunshine, my curation started with a fantastic yellow/pink piece by Chris Truman (the largest artwork on the wall). I grabbed it and it became a center piece of my visual exploration of, well, myself. Art is personal, isn't it? Thus, this curation revolves around the topics I think of these days. And you may too.
Spring seems for many of us to be a time of change. Nature is waking up; we are coming out of our winter rest. Change can be hard but I hope these artworks showcase shifting one's life in its more whimsical side. The wall consists of abstract works with intriguing textures and colors and landscape-inspired paintings. Some of them are quiet; others grab out attention with their intense colors.
And then, of course, we need the human for a change to take place. I selected artworks that overflow with magic (and a sense of subtle humor): moments of concentration (Taegan's apple picking), pondering, quiet (Nathan Mullins' figure walking on the rocks), but also those of intensity, such as a bed indicating sleepless nights, and intense energies (such as Kyujin Lee's artwork). It's like these artworks that depict people suggest, 'Yes, I am here but I am hard to catch (and capture). I am changing.' None of the figures are looking at us, the gallery visitors. They are rooted in their own privacy. And thus we have ours to appreciate what's in front of us.
And then, of course, we need the human for a change to take place. I selected artworks that overflow with magic (and a sense of subtle humor): moments of concentration (Taegan's apple picking), pondering, quiet (Nathan Mullins' figure walking on the rocks), but also those of intensity, such as a bed indicating sleepless nights, and intense energies (such as Kyujin Lee's artwork). It's like these artworks that depict people suggest, 'Yes, I am here but I am hard to catch (and capture). I am changing.' None of the figures are looking at us, the gallery visitors. They are rooted in their own privacy. And thus we have ours to appreciate what's in front of us.
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Our environment informs us and changes us. While I had the artworks all laid out on the floor of the gallery, I moved them around. This lead to my finding additional opportunities for deeper thought (and also realizing I am dressed in colors that were appearing in front of me on the wall. Coincidence, I think not. Again, art is personal). Art is such a wonderful vehicle for ideas: we stop in our tracks in front of a painting as it deeply pulls on our inner experience.
Artist Allison Rash is represented with the only artwork that contains words: "I care a lot more about a lot fewer things." What a clever way of distilling change: the focus on what's important to us as we go through life. It's like the wall is asking: 'How do I emerge with my authentic self within the various environments I occupy?" Time to pause. And look. And discover whimsy and fun. Enjoy the show.
Artist Allison Rash is represented with the only artwork that contains words: "I care a lot more about a lot fewer things." What a clever way of distilling change: the focus on what's important to us as we go through life. It's like the wall is asking: 'How do I emerge with my authentic self within the various environments I occupy?" Time to pause. And look. And discover whimsy and fun. Enjoy the show.
Adah Rose Gallery is a fine arts gallery in Kensington, MD, a suburb of Washington, DC and part of the Greater Washington, DC capital area. The gallery was established in 2011 and represents local, regional and national artists. The gallery is located at 3766 Howard Ave, Kensington, MD 20895. Contact: [email protected]. Carte Blanche is on view through April 20, 2024.