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America, Through Artists’ Eyes
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by Linda Arntzenius
he holiday season draws visitors to art museums in Princeton and beyond and Princeton Magazine here presents a round-up of exhibitions in town and further afield. Beginning close to home, art lovers who recently enjoyed the Arts Council of Princeton’s singular show marking the 25th anniversary of the Princeton Artists Alliance, will be able to see more work by this group as well as other contemporary New Jersey artists in America, Through Artists’ Eyes, an inspired new exhibition at the New Jersey State Museum. Founded by local artist Charles McVicker, the Princeton Artists Alliance (PAA) includes some of Princeton’s most talented painters, sculptors and photographers. America, Through Artists’ Eyes began as the brainchild of one of them, Nancy Lee Kern. Kern passed away in the spring of this year and the show stands as a memorial to her. Prompted by a 2011 exhibition of “stars and stripes” from the Pierce Collection of American Parade Flags on display at Morven Museum & Garden, Kern pondered the symbolism of the flag. Then, she contacted State Museum Curator of Fine Art Margaret O’Reilly to suggest an exhibition of artwork that would focus on the many ideas of “America.” As a PAA member, Kern had the group in mind.
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O’Reilly ran with Kern’s original conception and enlarged upon it. She urged PAA members to collaborate with other artists whose life experiences might be very different from their own. In addition, she invited artists not involved with the Princeton group to participate. In this way, O’Reilly has captured a broad range of responses from diverse perspectives. Each artist was asked to define and depict “America” in the visual manner most appropriate to their own personal ideology, style and convictions. The resulting exhibition features painting, photography, sculpture, documentary video, installations, prints and handmade paper. In short, America, Through Artists’ Eyes is a multifaceted manifestation of the myriad ideas and styles that contemporary New Jersey artists offer in response to the concept of America. Visitors will recognize many of the featured artists: Joanne Augustine, Hetty Baiz, Joy Barth, Anita Benarde, Siona Benjamin, Zenna Broomer & The A-Team Artists, Jennifer Cadoff, Will “KASSO” Condry, Rajie Cook, Clem Fiori, Tom Francisco, Carol Hanson, Shellie Jacobson, Margaret Kennard Johnson, the late Nancy Lee Kern, Maria Lau, Charles McVicker, Lucy Graves McVicker & Everlyn Nyadenya, Harry I. Naar, Jim Perry, Leon Rainbow, Tamara Ramos, Richard Sanders, Ela Shah, Madelaine Shellaby, Marie Sturken, Barbara Watts and Shoshanna Weinberger. According to O’Reilly, artists usually inspired by the natural world looked at America through that particular lens while others approached the topic from their own personal narrative. Some responded to
events in American history, while others explored current social and political issues. “Each is unique; some are challenging; all provoke thought,” she says. “Just like America.” America, Through Artists’ Eyes, in the first floor East Gallery of the New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, continues through April 5, 2015. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 4:45pm, closed Mondays and State Holidays. Suggested admission: $5 (adults), $4 (seniors and students); free for children under 12, teachers, veterans, active duty military and Friends. On weekdays, metered street parking is available, as is parking in paid lots throughout downtown Trenton. On weekends, free parking is available in the lot behind and adjacent to the Museum. For more information, including schedule of gallery walks, visit: www.statemuseum. nj.gov.
(top-left) Hetty Baiz, American Pastoral 1, 2014, mixed media on paper. Courtesy of the Artist. (top-right) Zenna Broomer and the A-Team Artists: Patrick Bowen, Derrick Branch, Carla Coleman, James Covington, Dolores Frails, John Hayes, Sharon Jackson, Carol Johnson, Karen Lulick, Ethel Mack, Frankie Mack, Shorty Rose, Charles Smith and Kevin Waverly, US-A-TEAM, 2014, silkscreen on canvas. Courtesy of Zenna Broomer and The A-Team Artists. (opposite, top-left) Leon Rainbow, Land of The Free, 2014, mixed media. Courtesy of the Artist. (opposite, top-right) Will “KASSO” Condry, 1985, 2010, acrylic and spray paint on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.
PRINCETON MAGAZINE holiday 2014
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11/3/14 12:26:45 PM