big idea

Exhibition Dates: January 31, 2017 - February 25, 2017

Reception: Thursday, February 2, 6 - 8 pm

Gabe Brown

Gabe Brown

Margaret Fitzgerald

Margaret Fitzgerald

The Painting Center is pleased to present Big Idea curated by Sue Collier, Leslie Ford, Jack McWhorter and Jo Ann Rothschild. A big idea can be expressed in any format in any style. Substance would be the real physical matter of which the works consist and have a tangible, solid presence. Scale would be the relative size or extent of the works. So small scale works that pack a big punch would work for the proposed theme and concept.

When passion and intellect have an emotional reaction, the artist begins the work of creating; interpreting their feelings and allowing their intellect to hold sway long enough to formalize the two. It is not a dominance of intellect over emotion but a tentative merging of the two powers, holding together tenaciously to create an impact, to produce the stuff that matters, a big idea. The artist prepares themself with supplies, time, ambition, energy and courage to accomplish and produce tangible evidence of what they experience. The work attests to the journey and the artist establishes a solid presence, a sense of satisfaction in their results. Each piece communicates and welcomes participation and contact. The work creates a context for understanding and sharing of new information, knowledge and emotions. The depth of the work is not determined by proportions but the breath of its influence and often it’s the great smallness that astonishes us the most, the ability to say so much so modestly. The artists included in this exhibition are Margery Amdur, Gabe Brown, Gordon Fearey, Andrea Ferrigno, Margaret Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Gourlay, Erin Hunt, Marilyn Jolly, Marilyn Kirsch, Megan Klim, Melanie Kozol, Willie Marlowe, Mel Prest, Kathleen Shaver and Grace Summanen.

Artist's Talk: Saturday, February 25, 4 - 5 pm

View Catalogue: BIG IDEA.pdf