Materials Speak

Given the diversity of artists, audiences, materials, landscape, and the rich culture to be found on the East End, we happily present Materials Speak at the Bridgehampton Museum The exhibition consists of artwork being created in or having association with the East End of Long Island. Materials Speak includes a broad spectrum of artists, many of whom are locally familiar and well-known as well as others who have quieter studio practices. The thread that runs through the exhibition is a demonstration of the way the artists use materials. In other words, how they follow the sociologist Marshall McLuhan ‘s adage, "The Medium is the Message."

Amid the diversity of artworks on view here are pieces ranging from a Julian Schnabel map painting to a vivid abstract print by Mary Heilmann. Nina Yankowtiz wows us with fabric work, while Claire Watson executes minimum aesthetics with leather. Russel Maltz transcends the boundary of painting and sculpture with a painted wood piece. Curtis Mitchell shows us that art can be made with a reconstructed plush toy while Bonnie Rychlak creates both a painting and object built of encaustic as well as other materials.

Further adding to the depth of the artist roster, Barry Holden shows us how a chandelier of books would be embraced in a library through manipulated photography, and John Torreano emblazons our vision with gems embedded in wood. Drew Shiflet weaves her paintings, and Jeanne Silverthorne creates a world out of rubber and phosphorescent pigment.

There are twenty-seven artists included in this exhibition, working with traditional and non-traditional materials. Their different treatment of materials enables us to view the finished work through their own lens and experience the vastness of what their imaginations hold.

We invite you to join us and experience the entirety of the exhibition and the diversity of practice and imagination of a remarkable group of local artists. Material Speaks is curated by Barbara MacAdam and Mary Dinaburg.

RSVP for the Opening