Constance DeJong: SEQUENCE October 6 - November 4, 2023
Constance DeJong
When you open the door and enter the gallery – pause. Close your eyes, feel your feet on the floor (concrete), sense the space around you with your other senses (ears, skin, proprioception). Take a breath so that you can feel your own threedimensional self in the three-dimensional space. Now … open your eyes and let Constance DeJong take you, step by step, view by view, on a journey. Each piece in the new exhibition SEQUENCE has been curated carefully, placed, and organized to provide an experience that explores human perception. The exhibition invites the viewer in the gallery to engage with DeJong’s art in a particular sequence, an experiential voyage of small and large differences, of revelations and puzzles, of centering and flight, and to notice their own noticing along the way. The viewer is first guided between two sets of square metal wall sculptures. Along the left are the large, 4-foot squares of copper – chemically patinaed deep, roiling black on the surface, each with a progressively (and mathematically proportionate) larger fold that allows the viewer to see the wall-glowing, fire-like shine of the copper verso. The fold levers the piece from 1 inch to 5 inches from the wall, canting the square respectively. The progression allows the viewer to notice the very subtle shifts of the folded pieces. Once noticing the shifts, the viewer can then take note of how those shifts affect their response, their experience of the piece.
On the opposing wall are tiny 4-inch versions of the metal pieces, formed to the same specifications. The counterpoint of the large and small pieces in line across from each other highlights the very different responses that the human body has to large format and small format works. The large Squares, with their painterly, tactile, and mysterious black surfaces, elicit a feeling of falling into. They tug at something in the solar plexus, pulling us into their dark and brooding depths, while distractions, tangled thoughts, concerns, die away, left behind as we settle quite fully into a state of presence with the work. A profound sort of quiet takes over here. In contrast, the small squares spark something bright and happy under the breastbone. These small pieces focus our attention in a gentle, glancing way. As the viewer moves into the larger gallery space, the eye is drawn to two black metal wall-mounted columns. They are identical – with an irregular shape. By mounting the two pieces near each other, the viewer is given the opportunity to see both sides of the piece at the same time. Whereas normally one would need to work round each side to view the differences in the forms – here the identical companion piece shows the viewer what they can expect on the far side. It’s a bit like magic and highlights another aspect of human perception. Whereas the first set of pieces contrasted scale and illuminated the subtle shifts of angle – this installation allows the viewer to explore the ideas of three-dimensional space, of back and front, of the limitations of our sight.
Finally, the viewer comes to a series of new drawings from a series titled Score. These exquisite puzzles demand the viewer lean in close to examine their intricate lines and shapes. The complex drawings are “generated” using the principles of the Golden Mean. Once DeJong has made her first set of lines – the rest of the piece unfolds from this starting point according to mathematical principles. The drawings are, in some ways, like a microcosm of the exhibition at large. While the installation of the exhibition was created to draw the viewer in through a series of shifts in perception – the drawings themselves do this same work on the small scale. They draw the viewer’s eye through a sequence of moves and shapes as the puzzle progresses and becomes both more complex and more comprehended as the viewer goes. In the end, the exhibition as a whole does what DeJong’s work, piece by piece, is always so good at doing: it assists the viewer in landing firmly in the present moment. Distractions fall away. With their dark depths and bright flares of light, the pieces vibrate with a kind of presence that translates itself into the viewer. The viewer is lured, step by step, into a state of quiet concentration. We stay with the work, in the work. Solid. Grounded. Here. Now.
- Michaela Kahn, PhD
SQUARE 48/1, 2004, copper and wood, 48 x 48 x 1 inches
SQUARE 48/2, 2004, copper and wood, 48 x 48 x 2 inches
SQUARE 48/3, 2004, copper and wood, 48 x 48 x 3 inches
SQUARE 48/4, 2003-2004, copper and wood, 48 x 48 x 4 inches
SQUARE 48/6, 2003-2004, copper and wood, 48 x 48 x 6 inches
SECTION .018, 1991, copper and wood, 60 x 12 x 16 inches
SECTION .018, 1991, copper and wood, 60 x 12 x 16 inches
SCORE VI, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SCORE VII, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SCORE IV, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SCORE V, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SCORE IX, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SCORE VIII, 2023, copper and paper, 14.5 x 15.5 inches
SECTION .021, 1991, copper and wood, 36 x 10 x 9 inches
SQUARE/GRID 13, 2016, copper and conte on board, 10.5 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches
MAQUETTE 6, 1990s, copper and wood, 4 x 4 inches MAQUETTE 5, 1990s, copper and wood, 4 x 4 inches MAQUETTE 4, 1990s, copper and wood, 4 x 4 inches MAQUETTE 3, 1990s, copper and wood, 4 x 4 inches MAQUETTE 2, 1990s, copper and wood, 4 x 4 inches
SQUARE 48/1, 2004 copper and wood 48 x 48 x 1 in. CD210 Click to inquire about this work
$58,000
SECTION .018, 1991 copper and wood 60 x 12 x 16 in. CD161 Click to inquire about this work
$48,000
SQUARE 48/2, 2004 copper and wood 48 x 48 x 2 in. CD138 Click to inquire about this work
$58,000
SECTION .018, 1991 copper and wood 60 x 12 x 16 in. CD203 Click to inquire about this work
$48,000
SQUARE 48/3, 2004 copper and wood 48 x 48 x 3 in. CD209 Click to inquire about this work
$58,000
SCORE VI, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD213 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
SQUARE 48/4, 2003-2004 copper and wood 48 x 48 x 4 in. CD116 Click to inquire about this work
$58,000
SCORE VII, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD214 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
SQUARE 48/6, 2003-2004 copper and wood 48 x 48 x 6 in. CD090 Click to inquire about this work
$58,000
SCORE IV, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD211 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
SCORE V, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD212 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
MAQUETTE 6, 1990s copper and wood 4 x 4 in. CD208 Click to inquire about this work
Not For Sale
SCORE IX, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD216 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
MAQUETTE 5, 1990s copper and wood 4 x 4 in. CD207 Click to inquire about this work
Not For Sale
SCORE VIII, 2023 copper and paper 14.5 x 15.5 in. CD215 Click to inquire about this work
$6,500
MAQUETTE 4, 1990s copper and wood 4 x 4 in. CD206 Click to inquire about this work
Not For Sale
SECTION .021, 1991 copper and wood 36 x 10 x 9 in. CD125 Click to inquire about this work
$38,000
MAQUETTE 3, 1990s copper and wood 4 x 4 in. CD205 Click to inquire about this work
Not For Sale
SQUARE/GRID 13, 2016 copper and conte on board 10.5 x 10.5 x 2.5 in. CD217 Click to inquire about this work
$7,500
MAQUETTE 2, 1990s copper and wood 4 x 4 in. CD204 Click to inquire about this work
Not For Sale
Born 1950 Lives and works in Albuquerque, New Mexico Education: MFA, University of New Mexico Awards & Fellowships: 1997 - 1998 Creative Work Grant, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 1994 Outstanding Teacher of the Year, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 1987 Purchase Prize, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe 1982 NEA Visual Artist’s Fellowship, Washington, D.C. 1980 Research Grant, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 1979 New Mexico Arts Commission Grant, Albuquerque Teaching: 1979-1989 1989-1995 1995-2004 2004-2023
Lecturer, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Associate Professor, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Professor, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Selected Solo Exhibitions: 2023 SEQUENCE, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2017 Constance DeJong: Measure & Light, 30 Years, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2011 Constance DeJong: Sculpture and Drawings, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2008 Shift, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM Scale, Richard Levy Gallery, Albuquerque, NM 2005 arc, Richard Levy Gallery, Albuquerque, NM 2003 Constance DeJong: Sculpture and Drawings, a Retrospective, Albuquerque Museum, NM 1997 Nitrate Paintings, Linda Durham Contemporary Art, Galisteo, NM 1995 Selected Works 1988 -1994, Littlejohn/Sternau, New York, NY 1994 Light Drawings/Metal Paintings, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM New Work, Littlejohn/Sternau, New York, NY 1992 Gravity Is The Root Of Grace, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 1989 Sculpture 1988 – 1989, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Constance DeJong, Jonson Gallery, University of New Mexico Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM (catalog) Selected Work, Littlejohn-Smith Gallery, New York, NY 1987 Recent Work, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 1985 Grand Divisions, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Metal Works, Susan Spiritus Gallery, Newport Beach, CA 1983 Recent Work, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 1981 Steel Drawings, Linda Durham Gallery, Santa Fe, NM Selected Group Exhibition: 2023 Shadow and Light, New Mexico Museum of Fine Art Vladem Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM 2022 Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2021 Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2020 Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2019 Bringing Together: Recent Acquisitions, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM
Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM Art on Paper, Pier 36, New York, City, New York 2018 American Jewelry from New Mexico, Albuquerque Museum, NM Hindsight/Insight: Reflection on the Collection, University of N ew Mexico Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2017 The Kindness of Strangers: Recent Acquisitions and Conservation Projects, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, AZ 2016 Out of Many, One: New Work by Studio Faculty, University Art Museum, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (catalog) Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico 2015 Visualizing Albuquerque, Albuquerque Museum, NM 20th Anniversary Gala Auction, SITE Santa Fe, NM Black Magic: Max Cole & Constance DeJong, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2014 Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico 2013 Collecting is Curiosity/Inquiry, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM Charlotte Jackson FIne Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico 2012 Economy of Means: Toward Humility in Contemporary Sculpture, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, AZ 2011 The Long Curve, The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY NM, 20 in 2011, Richard Levy Gallery, Albuquerque, NM Red, White, & Black, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2010 Unforgettable, Fisher Landau Center for Art, Long Island City, NY Case Studies from the Bureau of Contemporary Art, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM Primary Intentions, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2008 Works on Paper, The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY 2007 Off the Wall, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM 2006 Constellations, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM Site Unseen IV, James Kelly Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM The Natalie and Irving Forman Collection, The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY (catalog) Paint on Metal, Tucson Museum of Art, AZ (catalog) 2001 Organizing The World: Sculptural Interventions, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM Site Unseen II, James Kelly Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM The Abrams Collection, 516 Artspace, Albuquerque, NM 1999 Site Unseen, James Kelly Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM The Minimalist Tradition in New Mexico, University Art Museum, UNM, Albuquerque, NM (catalog) 1998 Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Iowa, (catalog) Off The Wall - Again!, Jonson Gallery, University of New Mexico Art Museum, Albuquerque, NM Faculty Choices, University Art Museum, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM Public Collection: Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico Fine Arts Museum, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Jonson Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas Fisher-Landau Center, Long Island City, New York The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona Clay Center for Arts and Sciences, West Virginia
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