Green Mountain College welcomes back to the Feick Arts Center artist Joan Curtis for her second solo show, opening November 29th. The public is alerted to new gallery hours (six days a week) and is invited to the Friday December 10th reception, 5 to 7 PM, as well.
At One with Nature’s Wiles: Recent Paintings and Sculptures is comprised of a collection of acrylics and mixed-media constructions, much of it executed in the past nine months. The artist’s inspirational methods are known to be based on intuition and whim. However, as Curtis points out, “The self-indulgent creating of art with no project plan is rewarded when an underlying theme is detected.” In this case, we see paintings and three-dimensional artwork showing human figures at ease or in slumber and meditation while upheavals of Nature take place.
In describing the artwork, Curtis states: “The images refer to the seemingly wanton behavior of Nature throughout our world. Perhaps flippantly, the artwork imagines us in a fictional rapport with tumultuous natural events. To extrapolate and learn from these fanciful visions: We hope that eventually humans connect to Nature’s rhythms and outrages, acknowledge changes taking place owing to our carelessness, effect a truce -- and do what needs to be done.”
Joan Curtis has exhibited throughout New England and in invitationals elsewhere; her artwork is in many private collections. In recent years she has been an active part of the art community in Brandon, VT.
At One with Nature’s Wiles is on view from November 29th through February 11th (closed for winter break December 17th through January 16th). Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 12 PM to 6 PM. Reception (open to the public) Friday December 10, 5 to 7 PM. For information: 802-287-8398.
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Artist’s Statement
At One with Nature’s Wiles
A collection of waterfall postcards and a few trys at narrative waterfall paintings long ago prompted this current work, which also stems from a recent “boathouse” series.
The images refer to the seemingly wanton behavior of Nature throughout our world. Perhaps flippantly, the artwork imagines us in a fictional rapport with tumultuous natural events.
To extrapolate and learn from these fanciful visions: We hope that eventually humans connect to Nature’s rhythms and outrages, acknowledge changes taking place owing to our carelessness, effect a truce -- and do what needs to be done.
Joan Curtis
November 2010
