Stamford Art Association
One can argue that color is the most subjective of visual phenomenon. As seemingly organized as color is in both the optical spectrum and on the color wheel, its manifestation in the real world of everyday appearances is objectively difficult to understand and accurately describe and its nature is frequently rife with mystery. Color theorists such as Faber Birren explored its relativistic nature of in an attempt to codify both our perceptual and emotional response to color, but as thorough and insightful as any study can be into its nature color remains ethereal and hard to definitively fix into any overarching schema, particularly when it comes how it effects the human imagination. We all know that bright colors are generally more cheerful than those that are drab or dark, but emotions aren’t as simple as “happy” or “sad” as real, emotional experience is always more complex and nuanced. Given this reality of color, the determination of awards for this exhibition was challenging. The specific question I kept on asking myself while looking at each work was: “Is color a central element in this work and is the work’s success predicated on the specific colors utilized?” In other words, was my interest in the work–both formal and emotional– dependent on color? Obviously, other factors came into play; no work of art, even the most reductive, is completely based in color. Composition is the architecture that color is “hung” on: was the work’s composition successfully supporting the use of color? Then there is the eternal (and most difficult) question when evaluating any work of art: what was the artist trying to accomplish given the parameters of their approach, and did they succeed? All of the artists who submitted their art for consideration deserve my praise, as submitting to a competitive jury process can be daunting. Many works were submitted that were worthy of inclusion, but were left out because of space considerations. I am particularly grateful to the staff at the Art Association for both asking me to be involved in this year’s Faber Birren exhibition, as well as thoughtfully presenting my choices through their skillful installation. Richard Klein 2014 Faber Birren Juror Exhibitions Director, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Carol Nipomnich Dixon Whirligig, Embroidered Collage, 13” x 13” 4
Carol Nipomnich Dixon Flora, Embroidered Collage, 13” x 13”
David Hutchinson Option Delivery Method Control, Oil on linen, 32” x 24”
David Hutchinson Benign Humility, Oil on linen, 32” x 24” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Rosa Colon Dahlia's Blossom, Oil on canvas, 18” x 24” 6
Elaine Conner I Colori Della Gioia, Watercolor, 34” x 37”
Robert Weinberg Reflections, Photography, 24” x 20”
Judi Betts It's A Breeze, Watercolor, 30” x 22” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Kathryn Poch Jazzy Rhythms, Oil on anodized aluminum, 36”x 36” 8
Elizabeth Killgore Autumnal Equinox, Oil on canvas, 16” x 48”
Maria C.Friscia Block Island Fantasy, Acrylic on canvas, 40” x 40”
Laura Barr Quarry Depths 2, Oil on canvas, 48”x 38” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Heidi Lewis Coleman Propaganda 2, Mixed media, 48”x 36” 10
Deborah Dana Field, Collage, 39”x 32”
Judith Rey Landscape 8, Acrylic, 30”x 40”
Chloe Feldman Emison Mosaic, Watercolor, ink art marker, 30”x 23” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Amrita Majumder Colors of Life, Acrylic on canvas, 20”x 48” 12
Janne Henriksen Sounds Good, Oil on canvas, 60”x 48”
Judith Modrak When I’m Old, Plaster, oil, pigment on wood base, 44” x 18”
Barbara Paul Burkina Faso Dancer, Photography, 16”x 12” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Idaherha Williams Rainbow, Digital archival print, 13”x 19” 14
Eric Mantle Colorful Conté Stick, Mixed media, 10”x 8”
Linda Hirsch Lifesaver, Photography, 13”x 19”
Will Holub The Great Guidance, Oil on canvas, 12”x 9” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
John Newcomb Long Way Home, Diptych, Acrylic on canvas, 72” x 36” 16
Joan Miller Acrobatics, Collage, 25” x 18”
Joan Miller Cogs and Hooks, Collage, 22”x 21”
Pam Lindberg Rocking Color, Acrylic on canvas, 20”x 20” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Joan Lengel Rhythm Blocks, Mixed media, 24”x 24” 18
Marian Wulffleff Round Nine, Acrylic, mixed media, 32”x 32”
Pam Ackley Abysmal, Oil on canvas, 36”x 36”
Rengin Holt Light, Monoprint, 21”x 21” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Neva Delihas Setlow Reflections, Plexiglas sculpture, 48”x 5” 20
Jane Lincoln Coral Core, Acrylic on canvas, 24”x 18”
Barbara Churilla Spin The Wheel, Relief print, 27”x 25”
Rita Castillo Knitted Elements, Oil on canvas, 36”x 36” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Raffael Altmann Never Thought It Would Come To This, Acrylic wood, 27”x 19.5” 22
Rw Franklin Currents, Acrylic on canvas, 42”x 48”
Rw Franklin Hub, Acrylic on canvas, 42”x 48”
Marcia Cohen Ambiguous Figure #5, Oil on canvas, 8”x 8” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Madelene Long Paintbrush, Oil on canvas, 20”x 16” 24
Kirsti Holtan Fire, Photography, 30”x 20”
Jean Marc Bara Hot!, Photograph on metallic paper, 18”x 24”
Bill Bodge Soft Power, Acrylic on canvas, 20” x 16” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Beverly Bailey Horicon Marsh, Oil on masonite, 10”x 8” 26
Paul Hitchen Rollin' On the River Too, Oil on canvas, 20”x 24”
Candice Flewharty The Blue Players, Oil on canvas, 40”x 36”
Chenyl Wilczak Paradise Garden, Photograph, 8”x 12” 34TH ANNUAL FABER BIRREN
Faber Birren National Color Award Show
In 1980, Faber Birren, world renowned color consultant, author of 27 books on color, endowed the Faber Birren Color Award of $1000 for original and creative expression of color. The Faber Birren Color Award Show has grown from a regional exhibit to one of national scope, encouraging artists in all media. This competition is the only artistic event devoted exclusively to the use of color. This year the Stamford Art Association celebrates its 34th year of the Faber Birren National Color Award Show.
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Established in 1971, the Stamford Art Association is a nonprofit organization whose members include painters, sculptors, printmakers, and photographers. Our mission is to provide a forum where emerging and professional artists can exhibit their work to the community and compete in juried shows.
www.stamfordartassociation.org
STAMFORD ART ASSOCIATION 39 FRANKLIN STREET STAMFORD, CT 06901 203-325-1139 WWW.STAMFORDARTASSOCIATION.ORG