Charles Geiger, Out of Sight, 2010, gouache, acrylic, and ink on paper, 48 x 59 inches; Courtesy the artist
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art marked the beginning of summer with the launch of the 12th annual “Hudson Valley Artists” series (June 25, 2011). The series was established to celebrate and promote the versatility and talent of emerging artists who live and work in the Hudson Valley. The Dorsky provides a high- quality space for artists in the region while continuing to broaden the conversations and definitions of art with an ever-expanding repertoire of innovative and intriguing themes.
This year’s exhibit “Hudson Valley Artists 2011: Exercises in Unnecessary Beauty” features works by 24 artists from the mid-Hudson Valley region who celebrate, question, challenge, and interpret the theme of beauty through painting, photography, sculpture installation and multi media art. The exhibition, curated by Brian Wallace (Art Museum), will be on display in the Alice and Horace Chandler Gallery and North Gallery through November 13.
This is the third “Hudson Valley Artists” exhibition Wallace has curated (and 27th in total) since 2006. Whereas some curators aim to make statements with their exhibitions, Wallace explains that his goals for this exhibit were the contrary.
“This show is about opening a conversation and starting a dialogue about beauty, art in general and how art works,” Wallace said. “Beauty is the basic grammar of art. Whether an artist embraces or rejects beauty is really important. Seeing how an artist works with language in all different ways is a very interesting experience.”
Amy Cheng, Lust/Caution, 2009, oil on canvas, 28 x 36 inches Courtesy the artist
Guests of the museum will see the vibrant colors and geometric versions of reality in the painting “Lust/Caution” by Amy Cheng; a mustard-colored rocking chair suspended in air called “Level Vial Rocker” by Sue Horowitz; photographs from the “Fallen” series of decaying pomegranates amidst dead leaves and fallen chestnuts by Tanya Marcuse; and Bill Schuck’s exploration into the idea of pairs, comparison and beauty of paintings made by the regulated drips of a custom-made painting machine.
Wallace’s decision on the exhibition’s alluring title arose from his own questioning of art and beauty’s role in the world.
“The title is a good working definition of art itself. I have a consistently loyal doubt about art’s use in the world. I’m always searching for its purpose,” Wallace said. The Dorsky’s many exhibitions and programs provide Wallace, artists and the wider community from where they work and live the opportunity to dissolve boundaries while pursuing artistic interests and fundamental questions.
“’The Hudson Valley Artists’ series is an annual exhibition that has taken place for 12 years,” said Museum Director Sara Pasti. “This is a significant exhibition for the museum of which we are very proud. The rotation of theme and curators allows opportunities for a wide variety of artists in the Hudson Valley to participate over time in the show. My heartfelt congratulations to all artists who are in this year’s show.”
Hannah Raine Brenner-Leonard, valley, 2010, sumi ink on paper, 20 x 32 inches Courtesy the artist
Major promotional support for exhibitions and programs is provided by M&T Bank. The Friends of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art and the State University of New York at New Paltz provide ongoing support for museum exhibitions and programs.
In addition, this is the third year that a Hudson Valley Artists Annual Purchase Award of $3,000 will be used to acquire one or more artworks from the exhibition for the Dorsky Museum’s permanent collection. This Purchase Award is made possible through the Alice and Horace Chandler Art Acquisition Fund.