To say that New Jerseyans have a certain shall we say – perspective – that is slightly skewered or sensitive or slanted in any way, would be the understatement of the new year. Artists are no exception to that generalization. And so the New Jersey State Museum brings that vision to reality.
“America, through Artists’ Eyes,” features works by contemporary New Jersey artists who were asked to define and depict America in the visual manner most appropriate to their own personal ideology, style and convictions. The exhibition includes newly created juried works by members of the Princeton Artists Alliance, as well as works by artists invited by the exhibition curator, Margaret O’Reilly. Artistic collaborations were encouraged. The artists have provided statements for each of their works and the relationship to the broad theme of “America.”
The exhibition, which includes painting, photography, sculpture, documentary video, installations, prints and handmade paper, features a myriad of ideas and styles. Artists who generally deal with the natural world looked at America through that lens, others have approached the topic from a personal narrative, some have taken on historical events, while still others are exploring current social and political issues. Each is unique. Some are challenging. All provoke thought. Just like America.
Artists included in the exhibition are Joanne Augustine (Rocky Hill), Hetty Baiz (Princeton), Joy Barth (Ewing), Anita Benarde (Princeton), Siona Benjamin (Montclair), Zenna Broomer (Princeton) & The A-Team Artists (Trenton Soup Kitchen), Jennifer Cadoff (Princeton), Will “KASSO” Condry (Trenton), Rajie Cook (Washington Crossing, PA), Clem Fiori (Blawenburg), Tom Francisco (Cranford), Carol Hanson (Princeton), Shellie Jacobson (Skillman), Margaret Kennard Johnson (Princeton), Nancy Lee Kern (Princeton), Maria Lau (Jersey City), Charles McVicker (Princeton), Lucy Graves McVicker (Princeton) & Everlyn Nyadenya (Princeton), Harry I. Naar (Lawrenceville), Jim Perry (Princeton), Leon Rainbow (Trenton), Tamara Ramos (Trenton), Richard Sanders (Princeton), Ela Shah (Upper Montclair), Madelaine Shellaby (Belle Mead), Marie Sturken (Princeton), Barbara Watts (Monroe Township) and Shoshanna Weinberger (Newark).
The exhibition is supported, in part, by the Friends of the New Jersey State Museum.
