November 2009
small works
All-Media Membership Show
November 4 – December 7, 2009
Award(s): The Eleanor Boudreau Jordon Award, and Honorable Mention Awards.
Show Info: Opening Reception, Thursday, November 12, 6:30–8:00 pm, in the gallery. Awards presented at 7:00 pm.
564 entered, 200 accepted
Juror's Statement:
with Erica Fortwengler
“Regardless of the surface size, composition must be strong. It doesn’t matter if it’s an abstract or representational piece – strong composition must be present,” stated “Small Works” juror Caroline Thorington. While combing through 564 entries, Thorington found the works to be of good quality and craftsmanship overall. “It was fun to see the more inventive works.”
Thorington found the photography, watercolors, pen and inks, etchings, and pencil drawings to be particularly strong. “You could tell that some of the painters were trying to get big and juicy with their brushwork, just itching for more space… and the small format just didn’t really work for them. Some media, like drawing and pen and inks, lend themselves to working small since the surface area of the tool being used is small itself.”
Many pieces were adorned with elaborate frames, which Thorington felt were too overwhelming and distracting for the small works. A good number of these pieces were eliminated.
The pieces selected as award winners were chosen for their strong design elements, strong composition, and originality. Thorington found Phyllis Rowe’s “The King!” to be especially unique, inventive, and detailed and therefore awarded it “Best in Show.” “The mice drawn around the interior of the frame add another element to the piece. The wrinkled paper further draws attention to the main image, the cat.” Jack Harding’s watercolor “Spruce Tree House” was awarded an Honorable Mention. “Usually cool colors recede and warm colors come forward, but this artist has done the opposite in this piece which creates a unique effect. It gives the impression of either the beginning or the end of the day.” Nancy Monacelli’s “Fall Hydrangea” garnered Thorington’s attention for it’s dramatic contrast between the dark and light and it’s strong composition.
Thorington is a well-known printmaker with her MFA from George Washington University. She has exhibited widely, most recently at the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland. She also recently participated in the 2nd International Printmaking Exhibition that will travel to China, Korea, Canada and the US. Her work is held in museums throughout the US, Brazil and Vietnam. Local museums that include Thorington’s work in their collections include the Corcoran Gallery, Library of Congress and National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her work can be viewed at www.carolinethorington.com.
Sample Work:
To view all of the images from the show, please click here.
