It seemed to me the place operates more as an event space and provider of art classes: for my visit the receptionist had to run around and turn the gallery lights on for me. Also she let me view the exhibition that was in progress of being hung (reception to be on October 10th). Very informal with no informational handouts, Kimball Jenkins struck me as pretty interesting and mildly standoffish, but heck, it was free. It leaves me curiously wanting to attend one of their social events.
Either way, of the three artists to be presented on October 10th at their upcoming show A Sense of Place, I was by far most interested in the artist Alison Williams.
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| One of her paintings on a pedestal. |
Again, this show is in the process of being arranged in the space of Kimball Jenkin's mansion. Also it is very apparent that the aesthetic of the mansion is a source of pride for the estate in how much it imposes upon the gallery space. I do believe they ask of the artists to incorporate their exhibitions into the space intentionally. Alison Williams did that with an installation along with her varied paintings and multimedia works.
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| Bad photo of her current installation |
As you can see, you need to be close to absorb her installation/not have it fight with the surroundings. But she did use the whole space (items on shelves in the background, as well as specific pieces that used light as an element to the work in the windows - this should be interesting at 7pm at the gallery opening). I did do a bit of research on her, and it seems she often makes complete small buildings as installations using a lot of natural light; I think this may be an early attempt at a non-rectangular enclosed space for her.
Either way, her work was beautiful. In reading her artist statement I found she focuses on gardening and art with no separation between the two. She is interested in that line between human direction and natural assertion. From her website;
"In both art and gardening I navigate the tension between an expected and a disrupted path...
I set parameters and initiate material intersections, then I am engaged in a relationship
with how the materials assert themselves and move beyond the imposed limitations. "
From multilayered, multimedia panel pieces to classic paintings of flower arrangements, she elegantly used her varied mediums in a way that added depth to the long conversation throughout her work.
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| Looking forward to the show to find out the titles of these. Good pairing here. |
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