The Watchung Arts Center is pleased to exhibit the work of the New Art Group once again. Minimal Light, the latest works by the Group which includes Stirling artist Susan Ahlstrom, will be on display from March 3 to March 31, 2018, in the Heinz Otto Gallery at The Watchung Art Center, 18 Stirling Road, Watchung, New Jersey. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m. featuring brief artist talks, refreshments and an opportunity to network with the artists.
As member artist Nancy Ori puts it, “The light is minimal but reveals both the vulnerability and endurance of American people from an important time in our history.” Light for all artists is key. It provides the ability to see and experience visually all things in our world. Yet, at times, we all experience how it feels to be in a situation of reduced or failing light. Minimal light, as explored by visual artists, reveals the many ways in which detail and character can be perceived even in low light environments. Whether it’s the light emanating from a source, such as a sun or a room light, or the light emanating from a soul that is slowly extinguishing, the idea of minimal does not refer to a lack of richness at all.
The New Art Group today consists of New Jersey-based artists Susan Ahlstrom (Stirling), Francesca Azzara (Westfield), Orna Greenberg (Millburn), Nancy Ori (Berkeley Heights), Paul XO Pinkman (Plainfield), Heidi Sussman (West Orange) and Katie Truk (Hamilton). Founded in 1990, with an over 28-year exhibition history, the New Art Group is one of New Jersey’s longest standing visual art collectives. The Group has had over 70 exhibitions of members’ works in venues throughout New Jersey and environs.
For some of the artists in this exhibit, the surface of the artworks and the way light is illustrated says it all. Yet for others, minimal light is a reference point to themselves. “I always thought that winter was the season of minimal light…” says artist Heidi Sussman. “I have a personal relationship to that phrase almost painfully now since I feel I am in the winter of my life and must work quickly to accomplish all I wish to do…”
Each of us has a personal relationship with light and with its loss or diminishment. You can see some of the way in which artists consider this very idea on display at Watchung.
The Watchung Arts Center at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung, New Jersey offers new art exhibitions each month, performances of music, comedy, improv, and classes for children and adults. Contact Joe at wacenter@optonline.net or call 908-753-0190 for more information.
For more information about the New Art Group, visit their website at newartgroup.com or call the director, Paul Pinkman, at 908-625-1571.
(above) “Dining Room; Bodie, California” by Nancy Ori
