Beyond the Landscape
This painting was selected for a juried exhibition entitled "Washed Away" presented by The Union of Maine Visual Artists. Artists were asked to submit work dealing with change from both environmental and personal perspectives as constant change impacts the world as we know it, or used to know it.
Noted art curator, critic, and author, Carl Little, recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in art writing by the Rabkin Foundation, has juried the show. GreenClean Maine (https://www.greencleanmaine.com/) is the show's sponsor.
Location:
Portland Public Library, Lewis Gallery
5 Monument Square
Portland, Maine 04101
Exhibition runs from May 2nd - June 21st
Opening Reception May 2nd, 5 - 8 p.m.
Curator’s Talk: June 6th, 5 p.m.
Artists were asked to submit brief artist statements to accompany their work. This is what I submitted:
I was inspired to use Joseph M. W. Turner’s 1840 powerful painting, Slave Ship, as a backdrop for the theme “Washed Away.” Turner created this painting to evoke moral indignation and action, and it helped propel the abolitionist movement. I replicated the painting, and to represent the loss and disruption of individual rights— essentially the washing away of freedoms and American democracy— I included items at risk of being washed away. In the wake of this year’s events, knowing others are willing to stand up to injustice, through art, music, literature, and civic engagement, is hopeful and empowering.