Church Street, Burlington, VT
My
husband and I spent a day looking at art in downtown Burlington while visiting
back home in Vermont. One of our first
stops was New City Galerie.
The
gallery is located upstairs at 132 Church Street. We received a warm welcome from gallery
curator Joseph Pensak as we entered. We conversed about life and art. I
even had the chance to help out with some artwork photography while there. Those are the types of experiences that stay
with you forever.
This
small gallery is well worth the visit if you are in the Burlington area. Here is a glance at some of the work we had
the chance to see:
Works by Catherine Hall
The above are works from Catherine Hall’s constellation series. They are small and intimate, allowing the
viewer to experience a vast subject matter in a personal sense. There is a glow created by the use of glass
beads which create pathways for the eye to follow. These works are like little gems.
Meg Lipke, "Grid", wool, muslin, silk, ink, fabric dye, polyfil, 59" X 36"
I have
wanted to see Meg Lipke’s textile works in person for quite a while. The silkiness of some works and the rougher
texture of others left me reining in the urge to touch them.
Close-up of one of the "Grid" sections. Meg Lipke.
Meg Lipke, " Green Stairs", fabric dye, beeswax resist, muslin over polyfil, 31" X 22 1/2"
Close-up of Meg Lipke's "Green Stairs"
Lipke's stairway pieces have strong architectural
shapes. The green work seems to
transform into a cityscape while the patterns add to the feel of trying to find
one’s way around a city grid. The close-up shows the textural elements.
Meg Lipke, "Blue Stairs", fabric dye, beeswax resist, muslin over polyfil, 32 1/2" X 23"
One
thinks of blue as a calming color, yet the “Blue Stairs” overall shape and
white lines give a sense of energy and movement. I enjoyed the combination of these very
different feelings.
Julia Kunin, "Bismuth Head", ceramic, 19" X 12" X 10"
Close-up of Julia Kunin's "Bismuth Head"
Julia Kunin’s "Bismuth Head" consists of tiny frames stacked on top of each other. It is an intriguing geometric work reminiscent of cubism. There are layers upon layers, empty spaces
between them to peer into and a beautiful glow as light hits individual
sections. The layering and angles allow for a new journey every time it is viewed.
Meg Walker, "Brain Unraveled", vines, wire, led lights
Meg
Walker’s “Brain Unraveled” travels down the wall as if it just can’t keep
itself together. I think we’ve all felt
like this at one time or another. The
poem next to the piece is oddly written, not quite together either. Motion activated lights appear as firing
neurons. It leads to thoughts on how the
brain functions.
Art
speaks to us through experiences, color, texture, thoughts and other means. It can lead us to see things differently and
to discuss subjects we may not normally discuss. Experience art from your own perspective,
embrace others and have a great day.