Curator Statement
Love is a universal topic. In curating Love and Things Like Love I wanted to capture something both fundamental and powerful to the human experience. Though it is impossible to define, love has endured as one of the most popular themes in creative expression, proving its timeless relevance.
The scope of the work in the show is very broad, and a number of threads have emerged. Themes of loss, ephemera, longing, intimacy, disconnect, unconditional love, comfort, turmoil, dissatisfaction, seduction, desire, nostalgia, and regret are all woven throughout the show. While I personally understand love to be quite complex, I am struck by the richness and depth expressed in the artwork. Gestures of humor and whimsy intersect with poignant and painful anecdotes of love. The artists featured in this show unabashedly share their vulnerabilities through the work, ultimately offering viewers the opportunity to connect with something personal.
The selection process for this exhibition was both invitational and juried. Knowing that a love themed show might be met with some skepticism, I invited a handful of artists to participate early as a way to ground the project in a thoughtful, sincere, and contemporary way, and to provide an initial structure from which to build the remainder of the exhibition. After the call was released to the public, nearly 1200 works were submitted for consideration. I ultimately narrowed down the selection to sixty-seven pieces.
Art has the power to do many things, and one of them is allowing us to find meaning in our lives. By exploring a topic such as love, I aim to touch upon something emotional and genuine for all who see it. While the topic of love has the potential to be trite and overly sentimental, many artists working today are addressing love with insight and fearless honesty. I believe this show has the power to affect people at their core, and I hope that viewers allow themselves to be stirred by what they see.
press coverage:
-"Love is a Many Rendered Thing at Loudoun House Exhibit" by Candance Chaney, Lexington Herald-Leader- front cover & feature story of Weekender; May 26, 2011
-Snapped: Love and Thing Like Love photo slideshow of exhibition opening, Lexington Herald-Leader; May 28, 2011
The scope of the work in the show is very broad, and a number of threads have emerged. Themes of loss, ephemera, longing, intimacy, disconnect, unconditional love, comfort, turmoil, dissatisfaction, seduction, desire, nostalgia, and regret are all woven throughout the show. While I personally understand love to be quite complex, I am struck by the richness and depth expressed in the artwork. Gestures of humor and whimsy intersect with poignant and painful anecdotes of love. The artists featured in this show unabashedly share their vulnerabilities through the work, ultimately offering viewers the opportunity to connect with something personal.
The selection process for this exhibition was both invitational and juried. Knowing that a love themed show might be met with some skepticism, I invited a handful of artists to participate early as a way to ground the project in a thoughtful, sincere, and contemporary way, and to provide an initial structure from which to build the remainder of the exhibition. After the call was released to the public, nearly 1200 works were submitted for consideration. I ultimately narrowed down the selection to sixty-seven pieces.
Art has the power to do many things, and one of them is allowing us to find meaning in our lives. By exploring a topic such as love, I aim to touch upon something emotional and genuine for all who see it. While the topic of love has the potential to be trite and overly sentimental, many artists working today are addressing love with insight and fearless honesty. I believe this show has the power to affect people at their core, and I hope that viewers allow themselves to be stirred by what they see.
press coverage:
-"Love is a Many Rendered Thing at Loudoun House Exhibit" by Candance Chaney, Lexington Herald-Leader- front cover & feature story of Weekender; May 26, 2011
-Snapped: Love and Thing Like Love photo slideshow of exhibition opening, Lexington Herald-Leader; May 28, 2011