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Wickford Art Association GalleryMan and Beast Open Juried All Media Show February 2 - 20, 2008Featuring
works with a figure (dressed or
unclothed, man or woman) and/or an animal (wild or domesticated)
theme.
Award Reception:
Juror's StatementJuror: Sally Caswell To be invited to jury this show at the Wickford Art Association was an honor. It is a commitment that I took seriously to evaluate conscientiously the work submitted as fairly as possible. My first perception was of a large number of works of art created with sincerity of purpose and aesthetic intent. The energy here was remarkable! After long deliberation I selected from the many worthy entries the works to be shown in the space allowed. The choice was challenging and I commend all of those who entered so many fine works to make it so. In selecting the works for the final decision, my first impression was an important one. What made the selection an ultimate choice was whether the work remained memorable as I passed through the room viewing the works several times. As always, considerations are of the content of the work - whether it has a message for the viewer - then of the formal elements and principles used to create a visual unity in the art. The qualities of line, texture, color, tonal range, form and space and the use of rhythm, repetition, variation, balance and focal point are, in the best works, successfully utilized to create a work deserving of viewing again and again. Of course, mastery of techniques contributes to this ultimate Gestalt. There were some works that created a lasting mental image that commanded my attention in depth. Consequently, these are the prize-winning works. It was even difficult to keep these to a modest number! My final choices for the prizewinners are as follows: First Prize: "Possum", an etching by Roberta Van der Molen. With such economy of means and brilliance of variation and depth of line to create an image of this creature with such a living energy and volume of form, struck me from the beginning as an outstanding work of art. The modest touch of the red eye adds liveliness and empathy. Accomplished in rendering and in execution of the technique of printmaking, it is notable for its clean printing techniques and mastery of the medium. It is finished with a professional appearance of framing. Like a veritable Rembrandt, it is highly deserving of the First Prize and what I consider to be the best in the show. Second Prize: "Ruminations", serigraph by Jill Tyler. A pensive image with a good balance of hard and soft edges, it is an arresting and playful work imbued with a sense of mystery and, somehow, a candor and vicariousness. The color is clean and shows a well-conceived harmony that gathers strength from its contrast of complementary colors at the edges of emphasis. Third Prize: "Fighting Cocks", painting by Ralph Williams. It is unclear to me whether its greatest impact is in its intense contrast of pure bright red with black - often emotionally connected with blood and evil - or the strident and energetic brush strokes that define the life-and-death struggle of attack and defense and the brutality of this shockingly inhumane practice. The dark greens, harshly complementing the bright full-chroma red are as agitated as the stance of the rigid vertical of the defender and the diagonal slashing of the offender, whose shadow emphasizes the diagonal action in yet another hue reminiscent of blood. With a shudder, I realized the successful impact of this fine painting. There are four Honorable Mentions and one Judge's Choice that I thought deserved mention, as well. First Honorable Mention: "Paper Wait", watercolor painting by Al Albrektson. As with all of the works of this master watercolorist, this painting is a sensitively masterful use of medium and form that engages the viewer. By means of solid drawing skills and juicy watercolor to create a sense of presence and humanity of the subject, and a quality of light that is nearly spiritual, in an image that by any other artist might border the mundane, is a testament to the artist's achievement. It is both solid and insightful. Second Honorable Mention: "The Conversation", photograph by Michael Miller. An arresting photo of masterful composition, the artist uses implied line, gesture, triangular shape, light, texture and color to create a sense of place that is unmistakable. In feeling it is reminiscent of the work of some of the finest photographers and captures a moment in time, breathtakingly well, and a sense of identification with the subjects. Third Honorable Mention: "Food Fit for a Beast", watercolor painting by Craig Masten. This work is striking in its wetness contrasted with the soft textures of the bovine subject. The barnyard is stunningly gritty and muddy, cold in feeling. One can just feel the slipperiness underfoot and almost sense the animal's earthy scent. Captivatingly simple, this work commands attention from half-way across the room, partly because of shapes and placement, partly because of value contrast. Well-drawn, in spite of its sketchiness, this is a deserving work. Fourth Honorable Mention: "Ellie", photograph by Marcia Blair. A skillful use of focal point and focus, this triangular composition with just the touch of red to add contrast, the light drawing our attention to hand and face causes us to peruse the eyes with intensity. We are drawn into the character of this woman whom we can identify as typical of grandmother, aunt, mother or older sister. The honesty of the gaze is its strength. Judge's Choice: "Scandinavian Forest Cat", scratchboard by William W. Nash. A memorable drawing with a sensitive variation of line and well-constructed form and light, this drawing caught my attention repeatedly. Well- defined in structure the cat is believable in form and dominant in confidence and personality. One criticism, though, I do wish the artist had chosen both a wider mat to present this work as well as one of a different value. This particular gray placed so close on this already closely cropped subject creates a felling of tightness, where just the opposite would complement the subject. ©2008 Sally Caswell
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