The Ely Center of Contemporary Art – “Winter Bloom” (Virtual Exhibition) curated by Stephanie Gonzalez is a brilliant show. I’m honored to exhibit work with many incredible artists in the ECOCA Winter Bloom exhibition.
I never know who will respond favorably to the pieces I submit to open calls. It is fascinating how specific artwork rises to the top of the group.
In his book The Command Look, William Mortensen writes his personal formula for why he believes people engage in artworks.
- The picture must, by its mere arrangement, make you look at it.
- Having looked — see!
- Having seen — enjoy!
For instance, the photograph invited to the ECOCA Winter Bloom show, North East, Day 3, is selected from my portfolio often and travels worldwide. The color story and horizon meet in shared memory, transitioning to grasp and arrest the viewer’s attention. It’s on this biological level, with the onlooker, judge, or curator, my fascination in creating artwork lives. Obviously the thing that holds our interest in a picture is the subject, but what if that subject is abstract? There must be a source of emotional magnetism through sentiment and intellectual wonder.
Curator’s Statement
“Now that winter has finally melted away, and spring has blossomed to a hot summer day…
“This exhibition represents the cycle from winter to summer, emphasizing the significance of color in this shift; I am interested in the way the dark, cold colors of winter evolve into warm, bright colors of spring. The order of the works that I have reflect this cycle of change.” Stephanie Gonzalez
Whether we recognize it or not, we participate in this yearly cycle, both consciously and subconsciously. We mark our memories with color and time and the daily rise and fall of the sun. This wonderful common experience simply calls to our basic emotions of grief and delight and the sacred task of surrender to a force more significant than ourselves.
About The Curator: Stephanie Gonzalez is an upcoming University of New Haven graduate, born and raised in Puerto Rico. She is interested in studying Art Restoration and Conservation, and has felt livelong inspiration from artist Francisco Oller.
Here’s a link to the work in the show.
