MR Projects

Current Abstraction (photos)

Installation View:
Laura Watt, oil paintings on left
Melinda Hackett,
works on paper
on right

Joseph Fucigna
"Busting Out"

Melinda Hackett
with her work

Current Abstraction

Detail of "Firehouse" by Peter Hildebrand

"Current Abstraction"

• April 29 - June 10, 2006
• The Black Rock Art Center
• 2838 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 (Google Map)
• (203) 367-7917
• info@internationalperformingarts.com
• Artists: June Ahrens, Joseph Fucigna , Melinda Hackett, Peter Hildebrand, Eva Lee, and Laura Watt.
• Curator:  Margaret Roleke
• Press Release:  Current Abstractions (Word document)
• More Photos - Gallery Photos of Current Abstractions

Current Abstraction presents the work of six mid-career artists from New York, Connecticut, and Philadelphia who have found their own vocabulary using the language of abstraction. 

"Easily Broken," installation by June Ahrens

June Ahrens' site-specific installation “Easily Broken” is a circular floor piece built with eggshells and salt. While being visually seductive, there is a very real fragility to it.

"Giddee Up Home," mixed-media sculpture by Joseph Fucigna

Joseph Fucigna  also built a site-specific piece, but on the wall and using a plastic netting material that  transforms into something more organic. Fucigna  also exhibits a wall piece built from plastic fencing and cable ties. He makes this standard issue plastic become a colorist's dream.

Peter Hildebrand (see image detail at top of page) references several scientific systems in his intensely detailed art. The truly amazing part of Hildebrand’s work is the surface of the paintings. He uses enamel, latex, and joint compound giving a thick, almost sculptural, quality to the work.

Detail of "Beach Song" by Melinda Hackett

Melinda Hackett creates exquisite watercolors and oil paintings loosely based on the circle. They are densely patterned and reference nature, biology, geometry as well as, making links to tapestry, Aboriginal paintings, and textiles.

Detail of painting by Laura Watt

Laura Watt is an obsessively detailed painter. Her op art work is explosive, elaborate and full of depth and texture. Color is amazingly well worked in her densely packed paintings.

"Division Transfer" by Eva Lee

Eva Lee's works on paper also suggest other universes, although her work process begins with just a few simple marks on paper that inspire her to create and embelish whole other worlds.

For full images and more information on Current Abstractions, please contact Margaret Roleke, independent curator, at mroleke@optonline.net.