In The Flesh 3 - Exhibition Dates: May 21 - June 26, 2011
Reception: June 9th, 6-8pm -- Gallery talk with Dr. Jamie Smith at 7pm
Special Programming at 8pm: Karen Reedy Dance performs a dance inspired by In The Flesh 3
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In the Flesh 3 furthers the Target Gallery’s dedication to supporting figural imagery in contemporary art. I am honored to serve as juror and it has been a pleasure to work with Mary Cook in preparation for this exhibition. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the more than 200 artists who submitted over 600 works. Though individual merits of the many submissions presented difficult choices, ultimately, the images themselves guided my selections. By virtue of contrast, complementarity, or commonality, between the content and formal qualities of strong individual works, these collectively formed a larger conversation about the human body, eliciting questions that sustain and renew its relevance in art.
Ideas and queries issuing from these works coalesce around certain themes and approaches. Several of the artists demonstrate a command of technique in representing the body in space, while also expressing states of mind. In pictures grounded in the history of painting and photography, Judith Peck, Aric Sites, Nadine Robbins, Victoria Goro-Rapoport, Geoff Ault, Matthew J. Davey, Michael Reedy, Ann Piper and Alfredo Matteis navigate between objective appearance and subjective experience. Among these, “Considering the Veil,” by Judith Peck, stands out for its skillful execution and powerful presence. Francine Gintoff, Parrish Cooper, Denise Stewart-Sanabria, Diane Bronstein, Ceci Cole McInturff and Alexandre Murucci create provocative images which seek to define the body’s relation to today’s multifaceted society and culture. In performative works, Charlie Roberts and Jason J. Ferguson manipulate objects that figure the human condition. Physicality and loss are poignantly enacted in Charlie Roberts’ “Embrace.” Depicting processes of coloration, bleeding, bruising or contraction, Soomin Ham, Devan King, Alison Oakes and Gina Phillips explore the potential of flesh itself to act as a medium for, or agent of, picturing. Soomin Ham’s untitled photograph provides a striking look at the body’s malleability. Together, the 21 artists in the exhibition enhance our understanding of the vulnerabilities, dilemmas and strengths of the flesh by reflecting our humanity in their art.
Jamie L. Smith, Ph.D.
