collaborative effort

marlene

bruce

collaborative

Tradition

Gallery U Boutique is proud to present its latest exhibit, ”Tradition.” All of us have our own unique traditions for this time of year.

   Artists were asked to submit their favorite holiday or family tradition or the traditions of others that have moved them to create.  This collection of work tells a collective story of family, friendship, light, and joy; all the making of a Tradition.

   For our “Tradition” exhibit Gallery U Boutique located at the circle in the Root Buildings at 439 South Avenue West in Westfield, New Jersey is proud to welcome 11 local artists.

   The exhibit will be open from Thursday December 8 until January 13. A public artists’ reception for this and our Art in the Boutique show which highlights the work of Linnea W Rhodes is scheduled for Thursday December 8, from 6-8pm. All are welcome. The 11 local artists who were selected for this show include: Virginia Carrol, Avi Kiriakatis, Harriet Kushina, Charlann Meluso, Nancy Ori, Gina Petrecca, Lynn Ronan, Shalini  Prasadd, Linnea W Rhodes, Leon Seufert and Anthony Zachares.

   Linnea W Rhodes majored in Fine Arts at Douglas College, New Brunswick, New Jersey with a concentration in Printmaking (etchings aquatints and lithographs.) After graduating college Linnea worked in New York City as the Assistant to the Director of Art at Norcross Greeting Cards. While raising her family she started a business doing fine line ink drawings of houses in her hometown of Westfield, New Jersey. In 1989 she left art behind and worked for ten years as as the Executive Director of the Westfield Day Care Center. She has been painting in oil since 2000. She began working in colored pen and ink in 2006. She is presently a member of the CAG Board. Linnea Rhodes, Watercolor Collage, “Christmas Cookies” Is a bare minimalist watercolor Collage. It takes some time to appreciate. Seven popular Christmas cookie favorites are neatly portrayed in symmetrical order. 

 Virginia Carrol has been involved in art for as long as she can remember. She focused on art into her college years. For some time her focus was on her children and family, but she found that she could not stay away from her easel. She then found colored pencil as a medium and began producing drawings at such a rate that she was able to collect a body of work exceeding 40 drawings in the space of 7 months and was given a “one man” show at Hilltop Gallery in Nogales, Arizona. Since then she has continued to create drawings in colored pencil and has been accepted to many shows of renown. Ms. Carrol senses beauty in all things, particularly the flora and the fauna of the desert. Her submission for our “Tradition” exhibit, “Gala Ceremony” is crowded with a multitude of distinctive figures. Ms. Carrol demonstrates a clearly higher level aesthetic acumen. Her ability to so clearly etch distinctive features is indicative of pure talent.

   Harriet Kushins uses the camera lens to capture her soundings. The camera lens permits her, as an observer and photographer to provide an expressive perspective on the world .She focuses on nature’s beauty through her travels. It gives her an opportunity to observe, to step back, reflect, linger, and capture beauty in different spaces. The image she sees through the lens leads her to explore a subject; its angles, space and light to reveal complex relationships.      Harriet Kushins’ “All Aglow” is a digital photograph that is extremely modern; brightly shaded spheres are scattered beneath elongated, oblong shaded figures. Fireworks explode in the background of this luminescent Digital Photo. On the subject of Tradition…Not only is Tradition manifest in our unique activities as they are engaged during our lived experience. Tradition, as the historical manifestation of that lived life determines those activities. We exist in Time. It is our temporal Horizon, and our cognizance of our place in Time and to a lager extent, History that manifests itself as a Tradition.

   Tradition is a complex topic. Its manifestation is witnessed in our Christmas festivities, but those activities have much deeper roots.

   It can easily be anticipated why our director chose the theme of: “Tradition” for our latest show. It is topical, and more than many of our other shows is manifest of present times.

greg b

 marlene

tosh

joanie

BOX OF BATS PROJECT 

Handcrafted children's namesake pillows

by Marlene

The New Art Group-“Letters”

   The New Art Group was founded in 1992. It is a 23 year old collection of visual artists dedicated to helping artists get exhibits for their work in the tristate area. The current rooster of members is Susan Ahlstrom of Stirling, New Jersey. Francessca  Azzara of Westfield. The art ranges from encaustic to photography, to assemblage, installation and representational art. It provides opportunities for thousands of artists to display their work.It also has musical performances. 

The New Art Group will be exhibiting at Gallery U, Westfield from October 6 thru October 30, 2016. The artist’s reception will be held on Friday October 28, 2016 from 6-8pm.  It is a twenty three old collection

   The title of this exhibit is “Letters.” The word Letters evokes a myriad of memories, images and thoughts both ancient and contemporary. The use of Letters and words has seen an explosion in contemporary art and has become a tradition for artists to explore how texts work in a visual realm.

   The New Art Group gives the topic of letters a whole new meaning in this exhibit. “Letters” contains some interesting paintings:

   Jane Caminos’ work,”Saint Malala” presents the viewer with some interesting paradoxes. It is very explicit image of a covered Indian woman with a bright golden halo. The background is multi –colored

Paisley that is somewhat muted. The illuminated halo is overshadowed by the paisley background. The woman holds a placard with the bold lettering, ”I am stronger than fear.”

   There have been many struggles and battles that have taken place in India, including the internecine war between the North and South in the 18^th century. The fear that war creates is what I believe the reference to the placard that the woman displays. War creates insecurity. It is my contention that “Saint Malala” is Ms. Caminos’ commentary on these conflicts. 

   “Whispers in the Living Room” is a highly abstract painting that startles the senses. It is the work of Francesca Azzar. The paintings of contemporary abstract artists presents a puzzle for me.  The message that is contained within “Whispers” is not immediately obvious. Ms. Azzara’s work is striking in its presentation. It is also somewhat dark. The large black splash of color sets a somewhat somber mood. It is the overriding image in this work, but this is set in sharp juxtaposition to the light pink color of the rest of the canvas.

   The trail of bright blood splashes that trail off the end of this work somehow complete this painting. It is engaging. It also somehow demands one to grant it attention. 

   Empowerment is another painting by Jane Caminos. It is packed with imagery. A young woman who could be described as a punk rocker sits with a power cord at her feet. She appears angry. A Black bird which evokes images of Poe’s poem, “The Raven” sits on this woman’s knee. A pack of wolves hover in the background. Lemons are scattered at this woman’s feet. These are all power images. The painting is unnerving. I find it both memorizing and disturbing at the same time. 

   The use of script in art is riding a wave of popularity.  Personally I have always been enamored with the literary arts. The addition of the literary to the visual arts is an innovative idea. It adds something to the general aesthetic experience.

THE BIG RECYCLED / REPURPOSED AND SALVAGED 

FALL TREE

a collaborative effort by all

CUSTOM CCHILD CHAIRS, RECYCLED, REPURPOSED AND CUSTOMIZED

BY MARLENE

REPURPOSED AND RECYCLED KEY CHAINS

MADE FROM SALVAGED MATERIALS

MARLENE

JOANIE

ERIC

CUSTOM TOTE COLLECTION

BY TAKENYA

ART BOX PROJECT

MARLENE 

ROBERT

Alexa Cassaro

  Alexa Cassaro is an illustrator. printmaker, craftsman and fabricator from Westfield, New Jersey. Alexa tells us that”her work is Young Adult related, consisting of very strong sassy females, sensitive males and curious genderless characters existing in an emotional and dramatic alien world.” She is influenced by shoujo manga, anime trash, bad girls, scientific illustration, mermaids and glitter. Her comics tend to have LGBTAI and Gender identity subjects with a high school theme.

   Ms. Cassaro submitted 9 illustrations for her exhibit. They are all colorful ink and watercolor pieces with childlike characters that are reminiscent of comic book images. They could be beings from outer space. They also have an Asian flair. They are highly imaginative. Ms. Cassaro has an obvious gift.

    “Praying Mantisgirl,” a watercolor and ink work brings to mind Kafka’s “Metamorphosis.” Ms. Cassaro’s characters are mostly genderless and this illustration does not deviate from that theme. The creature is somehow youthful. . It sits atop watermelon wedges; something truly bizarre. I do not know Alexa’s message. It is very detailed and demonstrates a high degree of artistic skill. Her choice of subjects is wildly creative. Fruit and vegetables figure prominently in all of her work. It is an interesting idea and is a tribute to her skill as an artist.  

   “Sunflower Harvest,” another ink and watercolor painting also piqued my interest. It too has comic book qualities. Three imp like figures sit squat among sunflower plants. Their features are hidden behind their black manes. It is the sunflowers that possess primitive smiling faces. The painting is other worldly. Nothing about it is humanoid, it could be something out of a futuristic comic book. Alexa manages to convey a certain alien presence that the viewer can relate to, but what springs to mind is aliens from outer space.

“Mothboi,” is one of Ms. Cassaro most original works. It is also one of the most Eastern, or Asian paintings of Alexa. Butterfly wings attached to the back of this Shogun warrior are very intricate and required keen technical skill. The warrior sits atop lemons. The aesthetics are impressive. Ms. Cassaro’s message is hidden. This painting engenders a desire in the observer to speak to the artist.

   Alexca Cassaro is precocious. Her imagination is a rare gift. She discovered her talent at an early age. She obviously is making the most of it. We wish her luck in what will no doubt be a long and illustrious career.

The Sinister web of post- industrial capitalist economics

John B.

A disgraced Us Olympic Swimmer has lost the lucrative endorsements of the bourgeois conglomerates, Speedo, Ralph Lauren,  Airweave and Gentle Hair Removal. Ryan Lochte, the American athlete, who was born on August 3, 1984 in Rochester, New York attended the University of Florida on a swimming scholarship from 2003 to 2006. He was a member of the Florida Gators swim team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Southeastern Conference (SEC). He lived and trained in Gainesville.. He lied about urinating outside after a raucous night of debauchery in Rio, the site of the Summer Games. He has been dismissed as the lackey dog puppet of the tentacles of bourgeoisie domination. The nefarious web of the ruling class acted swiftly to protect its own financial interest.

Ironically, Lochte a product of the archaic social order, conceded to the actions of his bourgeois oppressor.

   The saga started when Lochte and three team-mates returned to the Olympic village after a late night out in Rio. They tried, unsuccessfully, to use the locked toilet at a garage and urinated outside instead.

At first claiming that that he and his three team-mates had been robbed by a bogus police officer, Lochte back-tracked and admitted he had, while still drunk, “left details out” and “over-exaggerated some parts of the story.

   Despite the evidence against him, including CCTV footage, he has denied that that he actually  lied in his initial account to the Brazilian police.

   Lochte’s behavior has been met with disdain in the US and he has been widely pilloried in the US media.

   On 19 August the New York Post carried a front-page headline describing him as the “Ugly American”, along with the slogan, “Liar, Liar, Speedo on fire.

   Lochte is one of the most successful swimmers in history, with 12 Olympic medals and he once had his own reality television show in the US.

   What options are opened to Lochte and what the future holds for him are a mystery. He has lost important endorsements which were a major source of income for him. To my mind his situation is analogous to a disbarred lawyer. He earns a significant income in a highly specialized undertaking. His source of income has been literally yanked from under his feet. What marketable skills does he possess?

Are Starbucks or Burger King to be his fate?

Summer Daze

by John B.

Gallery U’s latest exhibit, ”Summer Daze,” Dazzling images representing the best of Summer by members of the Westfield Art Association,(WAA) will be on display from August 5-29, 2016. The artist reception was held on Friday August 5 from 6-8 pm. A solo show that featured the nautical string art of Leyna Andren will be held concurrently.. 

   As gallery director Denise Hyatt-Murad so aptly put it, ”We are proud to partner with the Westfield Art Association in our “Summer Daze” exhibit. The show offers ample color and warmth-just what one would expect as representing summer.

   Fourteen artists contributed work in a variety of media; acrylics, pastels watercolor and oils predominate. They are punctuated by occasional surprises such as “Ancestors” an accomplished plaster wall sculpture by Passaic County Community College adjunct professor Barbara Wallace.

   Barbara McElheny’s work, ”Summer Time Sun” an oil submission is reminiscent of the Jersey Shore. The bright blue sky is dazzling in its technical execution. The placid sea is a muted aquamarine which puts the mind at rest. The shore is sparsely populated which is not characteristic of  New Jersey beaches during the summertime. The painting leaves me with a desire to talk personally with the artist about her inspiration.

   Lisa Redburn submitted an archival pigment print with the interesting title, ”There’s Still Time.” I am puzzled as to how she was able to juxtapose the image of urban dwellings that remind me of New York City Brownstones in rescinding layers. Her technical acumen is strikingly obvious. Her choice of subject pleases me. I am most comfortable in an urban setting. 

   Christy O’Conner’s submission, “Secret Window” is a paper sculpture. It required sophisticated technical ability, and a very active mind. Her creativity is obvious. The work leaves me with a desire to speak with the artist about her inspiration.

   Brad Terhune submitted “Letting The Days Go BY,” an acrylic and pastel on board piece. It is an aquamarine canvas that is painted without an image. It engenders feelings of tranquility that bespeak talent. I would like to see more of Mr. Terhune’s work.  

Summer is my favorite time of year. During my early youth it meant vacations at the Jersey Shore with my family. During my college years partying in Belmar and Seaside New Jersey at the Jersey Shore are treasured memories. The artists represented in our Summer Daze exhibit do a good job of capturing the essence of the season. We are fortunate to live in the Garden State. Our current artists express their appreciation through their art. “Summer Days” is a successful exhibit.

Leyna Andren

Leyna Andren is an insightful 24 year old woman whose dreams and endeavors are as colossal and colorful as the ever changing sky. Since graduating college, she has been on a wild goose chase to find who she truly is as an artist. Straying away from the conventional, Leyna has always been compelled to go in the opposite direction of the crowd. Growing up and living her entire life in the shore towns of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, Leyna has grown a deep connection and appreciation with and for the sea. This has fueled her inspiration for most things in life. Her core beliefs are centered on a glass half full mentality, and she is a firm believer that there is not only beauty in the smallest of things, but also in chaos and disaster.

   Ms Andren submitted nine entries for her exhibit. They obviously required a great deal of technical skill. All have beach or shore themes as their inspiration, and Ms. Andersen’s choice of mediums is unique.

“Crab,” a dark blue outlined submission is interesting. One is left puzzled as to how the work was executed, but there is too much going on in the piece to justly appreciate the skill that was required. The image is of a crab outlined in blue yarn. There is no space in the work for one to breath. One is held breathless as they are drawn to the body of the work but one is only confused the more time they spend with the piece.

K 3 NJ is a piece that evokes a sense of appreciation for life in the Garden State. A heart, neatly constructed at the location of Trenton required a degree of technical skill. In all of her submitted work, Ms. Andersen demonstrates a high degree of technical ability, but the simplicity of K 3 NJ is particularly intriguing. The title of the piece remains a mystery. I have difficulty interpreting the title, K3 NJ as it relates to the actual work. It is appealing to the senses. But I do not know what Ms Andren means by K 3 NJ.

   “Octopus,” an abstract construction, required great imagination. It stirs the senses, but like all of Ms. Andren’s work, it present’s the viewer with a complex image to interpret. It is constructed of black yarn adumbrating the image of cephalopod mollusk. It also shares Ms. Andrean’s proclivity for the complex. It somehow crowds it’s wooden backdrop.

  Leyna Andrean is immensely talented. Her choice of medium demonstrates great creativity. Her technical ability is immeasurable. We are pleased to have had the oppourtunity to showcase her work.