The Center for Maine Contemporary Art presents “Let the World In,” an exhibition featuring seven artists who collectively explore the themes of openness, observation and material integration. Guest curated by Maine artist Tessa Greene O’Brien, the exhibition is on view at CMCA through May 5.
The exhibition title not only captures the essence of the exhibition but also pays homage to the eponymous National Gallery of Art exhibition in Washington, D.C., featuring Robert Rauschenberg’s groundbreaking prints from the 1960s. At that time, Rauschenberg challenged the prevailing abstract expressionism by incorporating recognizable imagery and everyday materials into his art, a sentiment echoed in the diverse works on display at CMCA.
Through a variety of artistic approaches, the featured artists — Sachiko Akiyama, Wilder Alison, Leon Benn, Jordan Carey, Diana Cherbuliez, Carol Eisenberg and Hong Hong — invite viewers to explore their interconnected existences and the interdependence of humanity. Rather than conforming to strict artistic categories, these creators break free from traditional boundaries to produce work that is both tactile and alluring.
O’Brien emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the artists’ work, noting, “Awareness of social unrest carries through the work of these artists, whose work is imbued with their lived experiences and identities. ‘Let the World In’ serves as a plea and a rallying call, a reminder that all of our existences are intertwined. We are interdependent as a species, and no human is an island.”
About the Artists
Wilder Alison: Harmonic abstract paintings using cut, sewn and dyed wool, embedding queer theory into the act of dividing and combining.
Sachiko Akiyama: Utilizes wood, resin, and paper mache to present personal and symbolic subject matter, creating mysterious and familiar arrangements.
Leon Benn: Observes and paints surroundings, psychedelically reinterpreting them in reverberating color.
Jordan Carey: Stretches tissue paper over hand-built wooden kite forms, creating painterly depictions of the Bermudian landscape.
Diana Cherbuliez: Translates photographs of her home’s construction into embroidered and appliquéd quilt squares, using well-worn Carhartts.
Carol Eisenberg: Creates fantastical color field imagery by digitally layering and manipulating photographic fragments of leaves and flowers.
Hong Hong: Initiates paper pulp paintings in giant outdoor baths, allowing dust, leaves, and airborne sediments to integrate into the finished works.
CMCA is located at 21 Winter St., Rockland. For more information, go to cmcanow.org.
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