Breath-taking sculptures by Lisa Battle and mind-provoking photographs by the Studio Gallery members are highlighted at this gallery in Washington, DC (Oct 30 - Nov 23, 2024). I am honored to have curated these two exhibitions. What a delightful experience working with these artists and exploring ways to best showcase their artworks at 2108 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (Wed, Th, and Fr - 1pm-6pm * Sat - 11am-6pm).
Interconnections
Lisa Battle presents a collection of sculptures, wall installations, and vases, in her Interconnections show. Lisa shares, "All living beings are connected and depend on each other and their environment to survive. In Greek philosophy, this idea was expressed as anima mundi -- an intrinsic connection between all living beings. In modern times, the Gaia hypothesis describes the Earth as a complex, self-regulating system where living organisms have a synergistic relationship with their environment. Being intertwined has profound implications in human relationships, on the international political stage, and for the survival of our planet. It is imperative for us to learn to coexist and to find balance. Installations in this exhibition highlight interactions between elements, evoking the extraordinary ecosystems that give us life and bind us together. The ceramic sculptures celebrate connectedness as a vision for a future in which the interdependence of humans and the natural world is prioritized."
Lisa and I arranged her sculptures in the show rooms to communicate a sense of ease. I hope you feel welcome in the gallery as you stroll through the space and experience the connections between the pieces and you as a viewer of these artworks. We worked together to highlight how pausing and a sense of motion coexist in Lisa's works. While working to best communicate the artist's message, I also observe my personal reactions to the works: there is so much beauty in Lisa's creations. I imagine her hands working on these pieces and her heart and mind diving deep into the theme. Her personal journey has allowed me to feel connected too: images of oceans, winds, and water came to mind. I thought of the need for rest as I observed light browns, blues, and greens. The textures in the glazes took me to sunlit paths in the woods. Lisa's theme and its execution are powerful and I hope you enjoy the show! Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.
Interconnections
Lisa Battle presents a collection of sculptures, wall installations, and vases, in her Interconnections show. Lisa shares, "All living beings are connected and depend on each other and their environment to survive. In Greek philosophy, this idea was expressed as anima mundi -- an intrinsic connection between all living beings. In modern times, the Gaia hypothesis describes the Earth as a complex, self-regulating system where living organisms have a synergistic relationship with their environment. Being intertwined has profound implications in human relationships, on the international political stage, and for the survival of our planet. It is imperative for us to learn to coexist and to find balance. Installations in this exhibition highlight interactions between elements, evoking the extraordinary ecosystems that give us life and bind us together. The ceramic sculptures celebrate connectedness as a vision for a future in which the interdependence of humans and the natural world is prioritized."
Lisa and I arranged her sculptures in the show rooms to communicate a sense of ease. I hope you feel welcome in the gallery as you stroll through the space and experience the connections between the pieces and you as a viewer of these artworks. We worked together to highlight how pausing and a sense of motion coexist in Lisa's works. While working to best communicate the artist's message, I also observe my personal reactions to the works: there is so much beauty in Lisa's creations. I imagine her hands working on these pieces and her heart and mind diving deep into the theme. Her personal journey has allowed me to feel connected too: images of oceans, winds, and water came to mind. I thought of the need for rest as I observed light browns, blues, and greens. The textures in the glazes took me to sunlit paths in the woods. Lisa's theme and its execution are powerful and I hope you enjoy the show! Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Something Old, Something New
Photographic Art from Members of the Studio Gallery
Gallery member Jo Levine (shown with her photographs below), who organized this show, shared this group statement: "This show features photographic art created by members of the Studio Gallery. The theme challenged gallery members to try out new ideas. Artists took diverse approaches to the theme, such as using photo software to alter reality; switching to a different color palette or to black-and-white; choosing subjects new to them; creating photo collages; or combining digital technology with traditional media. However, language and art can be open to many interpretations. In this case, some members interpreted the theme to encompass photographic subjects that were themselves old or new (or both), such as colorful weathered sandstone, or old roots and new leaves."
Participating artists: Bob Burgess, Judy Bonderman, Lynda Andrews-Barry, Amity Chan, Suzanne Goldberg, Suliman Abdullah, Gary Anthes, Beverly Logan, Leslie Kiefer, Jo Levine, Lisa Battle, Iwan Bagus, Susan Raines, Langley Spurlock, and Steven Marks.
While Lisa's exhibit focuses on diving deep into a theme, this photography show demonstrates the wonderful variety of human creativity. The photographers, as the group statement suggests, present many ways to interpret the topic. As a curator and an art viewer, I am impressed by this variety: it made me think of photography in new ways. Here are some of the innovative explorations the artists shared in their personal statements or while talking to me in terms of "something new, something old": decay and renewal, going new places, weathered natural surfaces, being inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem, focusing on black-and-white imagery, tearing up photos and incorporating them into paintings, highlighting social (in)justices and human rights, using old technology: hand gilding, using overlay, distortion, and composite imagery, focusing on light, delving into documentary photos, documenting struggle and peace, and building new artifacts out of old images. So many approaches! Each artist's display is accompanied by their statement and you will be able to appreciate their unique point of view.
Check out the events related to these shows! I hope you feel moved, connected, and richer in mind and heart after seeing the works. Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.
Photographic Art from Members of the Studio Gallery
Gallery member Jo Levine (shown with her photographs below), who organized this show, shared this group statement: "This show features photographic art created by members of the Studio Gallery. The theme challenged gallery members to try out new ideas. Artists took diverse approaches to the theme, such as using photo software to alter reality; switching to a different color palette or to black-and-white; choosing subjects new to them; creating photo collages; or combining digital technology with traditional media. However, language and art can be open to many interpretations. In this case, some members interpreted the theme to encompass photographic subjects that were themselves old or new (or both), such as colorful weathered sandstone, or old roots and new leaves."
Participating artists: Bob Burgess, Judy Bonderman, Lynda Andrews-Barry, Amity Chan, Suzanne Goldberg, Suliman Abdullah, Gary Anthes, Beverly Logan, Leslie Kiefer, Jo Levine, Lisa Battle, Iwan Bagus, Susan Raines, Langley Spurlock, and Steven Marks.
While Lisa's exhibit focuses on diving deep into a theme, this photography show demonstrates the wonderful variety of human creativity. The photographers, as the group statement suggests, present many ways to interpret the topic. As a curator and an art viewer, I am impressed by this variety: it made me think of photography in new ways. Here are some of the innovative explorations the artists shared in their personal statements or while talking to me in terms of "something new, something old": decay and renewal, going new places, weathered natural surfaces, being inspired by an Emily Dickinson poem, focusing on black-and-white imagery, tearing up photos and incorporating them into paintings, highlighting social (in)justices and human rights, using old technology: hand gilding, using overlay, distortion, and composite imagery, focusing on light, delving into documentary photos, documenting struggle and peace, and building new artifacts out of old images. So many approaches! Each artist's display is accompanied by their statement and you will be able to appreciate their unique point of view.
Check out the events related to these shows! I hope you feel moved, connected, and richer in mind and heart after seeing the works. Below: photos by Martina Sestakova.
 Jo Levine |  Iwan Bagus |
 Susan Raines |  Steven Marks |
 Leslie Kiefer |  Judy Bonderman |
Interested in working with me? I would love to learn about you and your art and assist in curating your upcoming art exhibition. Contact me for details.