MODULE 11

The title of this specific exhibition at The Burchfield Penny Art Center is titled "HERE!". The theme is the history and culture that is unique to Buffalo. Most of the light was natural from a large window above in addition to some overhead lights. The walls were plain white and made of dry-wall. The floors were a light color and looked like wood. 

As soon as the viewer entered the gallery, they were greeted with a large wall with the exhibition title and a description of the exhibit written on the wall. After reading the description, the viewer is encouraged to continue past the wall into the main gallery. A large amount of works are visible as soon as you enter the main gallery. Throughout the exhibition, sculptures and glass cases are evenly spaced out.

All of the artworks kept with the theme of Buffalo. Some had recognizable locations, events, or people and others were just local Buffalo artists. If the work was framed, thin, simple brown or black frames were used. Small, white info cards containing multiple artists and titles were hung between every few piece. The artworks were hung close together and the ones that were paired or had multiple works in a series were placed one above another.

 I enjoyed looking at the gallery through a different perspective. Every aspect is important and carefully thought out, from the placement of each piece to the colors on the wall. Next time I visit a gallery or museum I will notice small details such as what kind of frame the works are in. 

Jerome Witkin

Portrait of Charles Rand Penny

oil on canvas 

1991

12'x7'

The subject matter of this painting is Charles Penny sitting in a white chair with red drapery hung on the wall as the background. He is surrounded by various trinkets and collectables such as a pair of dog statues, an African mask, and a set of plates. Drapery gathering at the floor serves as guiding lines to point to the subject. The two plates on either side and the two dogs balance the composition. A sense of space is made by the three walls covered in red fabric. The wooden steps provide a place for small trinkets. The subject's form and the folds in the drapery are emphasized by the light coming from one side of the room he is sitting in.

Portraits are an old practice and are often commissioned to remember a person of significance. This painting has the seriousness of a typical portrait but the added objects bring a lighthearted feeling to the work. The objects surrounding the subject are familiar and recognizable art items that could be found in any average person's home. Mr. Peanut figurines and Asian-style painted plates are common objects people can relate to. The artist was trying to make a connection with the act of collecting art and how anyone can do it. It doesn’t have to be by a famous artist or cost a lot of money for it to be deemed art.

 James J. Vullo

The Last of the Old Buffalo Public Library 

watercolor and gouache on paper

1963

10"x24"

    The subject matter of this artwork is the old Buffalo Public Library. Although it is in the Cubist style, some architectural details are recognizable such as a ladder, arched windows, the pointed peaks of towers, and a door. Much like the Cubist painters in the early 20th century, it looks as if the artist cut up the building and put it back together without any strategy. Geometric shapes with flat planes of color make up the building. Because most of the shapes are tall thin rectangles, all of the “cut up” pieces are unified to make one building. The top of the library is distinguishable by a group of triangles. Some of the straight lines used in the painting are diagonal which gives the building a dynamic and energetic feeling. 

    The main colors in this piece are Black, pink, green and burgundy. Keeping the colors consistent and not too busy makes the building cohesive. Overall, the library is a dark mass which is a strong contrast to the light paper it is painted on.  

    It is clear that the artist was inspired by Cubist painters because of his use of straight lines and geometric shapes. In true Cubist fashion, the subject matter is not completely clear and the viewer needs to take time to figure out what they are looking at. Small hints such as the arched windows and pointed towers. Perhaps the jumbled out come of this piece alludes to the tearing down of the library. I’m not familiar with the history of the public library but I interpreted the title as the building is not there anymore or no longer has the same use.  

Alice O'Malley

Justine Kurland, New York

gelatin silver print on paper

2005

10"x18"

    This black and white photo shows a woman in her late twenties stands in an empty white room against a plain white background. Her hands are on her hips and she is standing at a three-quarter angle showing off her pregnant belly. Draped on her shoulders is a waist length dark cape with a light colored trim. She is wearing black knee high boots. 

    There is a wide range of value in this black and white photo, from her black boots, to the white room she’s standing in, providing great contrast. The curves of her body offer a wide range of values as her body parts dip in and out of shadows. The woman is the only thing in the shot so all the emphasis is placed on her.  The room is completely empty which means all the attention is focused on the subject. A naked pregnant woman is not something one sees often so that captures the attention of the viewer or anyone walking by the photo hanging on the wall.  

    This portrait is extremely unique. The condition she is in, both nude and pregnant, paired with the quirky accessories gives her a strong sense of identity. She has full confidence in herself which is made apparent by her posture. To me this seems like a statement on being a woman. She has the power to create life, the confidence to be nude, and the freedom to wear whatever she wants.