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Exhibiting At The Wickford Art Association GalleryBelle Fleur Member Show
AWARDS:
Judges
Comments It is always a challenge to be asked to judge the efforts and talents of other artists. Your best efforts to be objective inevitably fall back to your own subjective experiences. The task is made all the more difficult when faced with a group of passionately crafted works as the ones represented in this show “Belle Fleur.” For my best objective judgment I strive to see all the works through a singular lens of similar criteria. The best artwork is ultimately a combination of something the artist deems worthy of communicating and he or she uses their chosen language and vocabulary to speak about that experience to an audience. I was an audience of one for this judging and the familiar languages of painting, drawing, printmaking, collage and a combination of these encompassed the breadth of the work. My criteria involved searching for the connection of the artists’ vision as told with the fundamental issues of design, color and use of chosen materials. Daphne Henderson sought a sense of place in her assemblage of different materials that gave her vision of a “Belle Fleur” a unique sense of context unfamiliar to me yet convincingly appealing. Her use of materials was striking in its variety and many surprising moments. Anne Daum brought a subtlety of color to such a bold subject that was at once surprising and comforting. Like a slow simmer you let the flavors of her vision arrive in a quiet and satisfying way that keeps you wondering at how it was made. Paula Dewell uses solid design and intriguing technique to bring to life a quiet yet direct appreciation for her subject. Like the subtly colored flowers she chose her piece pulls you in if you’re willing to notice. Beverly Silva, Theresa Girard and Nancy Paull each found a personal approach in their mediums that, as with many others, left me more curious as I walked away than when I arrived. For the rest, I applaud the unexpected subtlety brought out of such a bold subject as a “Belle Fleur.” The beauty of a flower can possibly overwhelm the artist vision and I was gratified at the directness of intent I saw throughout the show. Each artist maintained the integrity of their idea and accompanied it with a sense of craftsmanship that was exciting to see. I congratulate you all on your efforts! |
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