The "White Bridge" by John Twachtman, oil painting (c. 1900 )
at
The Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY
Recently, when I was in The Memorial Art Gallery, I happened to come across a painting called "White Bridge" by John Twachtman, painted at the beginning of the 20th Century. It really reminded me of paintings by Lin Price that I had just seen at Axom ( 661 South Avenue, Rochester, NY ) in the South Wedge. Lin Price seems to have a gift for creating structures in her paintings that have textures like the impressionists - and she really loves her materials!
"A Wonderful Opportunity" by Lin Price, 2016
Paintings by Lin Price evoke feelings that also have a bit of mystery attached. There is some abstraction in the simple forms she seems to be attracted to - like the grey barn in a grey environment. It is her form of nature with an influence of abstract expressionism that attracts a visitor...
Lin Price painting called: "John Laurie's Field, 2024
Back at The Memorial Art Gallery there have been many changes since I was there last. Now, they have a new Director - Sarah Jesse who has replaced Mr. Jonathan Binstock who moved on to The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. late last year. I was pleased to see that MAG is making more of an effort to communicate with visitors, especially in the new installation "Drawing As Discovery".
30 Original works by Wendy Red Star
Even before I entered the "Drawing As Discovery" show I was able to spend time enjoying new displays including Wendy Red Star and her corral of horse paintings which are adaptations from historical ledgers. It is a real step forward to have the MAG feature works by indigenous people who were previously overlooked. Maybe this can be traced back to G. Peter Jemison and his advocacy for the arts both locally and nationally as an artist member and leader of the Seneca Nation.
There are many features at the MAG, not the least of which is the fact that they have great pieces by a wide range of artists, and I am always finding new things to study. as an example, I had not come across the wall work by Sol Lewitt that is now by the main doors to the galleries. A photo does not do it justice!
Sol Lewitt, wall work
"Unfinished Business" by Shawn Dunwoody
Once inside the galleries there are other new works like the mural size piece "Unfinished Business" from Shawn Dunwoody that honors political activism on behalf of BLM ( Black Lives Matter ). This is also a good point to take since so much of Dunwoody's work here is about drawing!
Once inside "Drawing As Discovery" I found that the stories for each work were carefully researched and it supports an effort to really engage and inform a visitor. I have never seen many of the pieces featured in this show which includes a wonderful selection that ranges from the tiny Rembrandt sketch of his mother to the lush pastel drawing by Degas of ballet dancers, and onto the most modern artists of today including my old office mate, Luvon Sheppard.
Edgar Degas uses pastels in this drawing of ballet dancers
"Drawing As Discovery" encourages the viewer to see the act of drawing from a variety of viewpoints. One can use drawing as a study for larger works, or the drawing can stand by itself as the final work of art.
When I read the description of the drawing by Charles Sheeler I was surprised to learn that his materials were Conte crayons, which I have tried to use myself, but not with such accuracy as Sheeler used for this factory drawing ( see below ):
Charles Sheeler employs Conte crayon in his Ballet Mechanique
There is so much to see in this large exhibition, and I found myself reading all of the labels so I could better understand what I was experiencing. I think that The MAG curators are really reaching out to the viewers and getting them closer to the art. I even like that they have a little room in which you can practice your drawing skill. This makes for a great afternoon at the museum!
Rembrandt drew his mother for this work on paper
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