The connection between past and present is the theme of Sculpted Memory, the current group exhibition at Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea. Gallery manager and show curator Charlotte Mouquin has included the work of five artists working in diverse media including painting, photography, print making, sculpture, and mixed media. What unifies this group is the sense of personal history that is inherent in all the work combined with forward thinking in material, approach, and essence of the artwork.
Jen Blazina has created an installation of hundreds of hanging lockets. What at first glance looks to be vintage photographs suspended in amber turn out to be made from cast rubber and silk screen. These pieces make a strong impact both individually and as an installation.
Johnny Mattei is exhibiting three Mental Journals, sculptural box constructions that are filled with raw and mythical objects and imagery. Reminiscent of Joseph Cornell, these boxes appear to be telling a very personal and mysterious story.
Sheila Goloborotko uses actually links to connect to past memories. For this exhibition she has created a series of chains in a variety of media, including ceramic sculpture, drawing, and print making. Bright colors, shiny metallics, and faded monotones each seem to express a different state of mind.
Trevor Brown’s stunning photographs mounted on Plexiglas capture a moment in time within the process of urban decay. These pieces are notable for their dramatic and vivid color palette. The subject matter is destruction but the feeling of these photographs is pure beauty.
Michael Mut has created a series of mixed media installations that are spread throughout the gallery. Sculpted memory dolls are suspended from the ceiling and hung from the walls. And in Still Counting, a mountain of wrapped and mummified toothbrushes stands in the corner, like a graveyard of bones.
Artist Talk: There will be a reception and artist talk with all five artists held at the gallery on Sunday March 6 from 12-2 p.m. Space is highly limited and attendance is by RSVP only. If you are interested in attending, please contact Charlotte Mouquin at charlotte@rushartsgallery.org.
Sculpted Memory runs through March 26th.
Rush Arts Gallery is located at 526 West 26th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues, Suite 311. 212-691-9552.
