Artists Defend The Environment Under Siege, curated by Troy West and Claudia Flynn

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 4, 7-9 PM
Symposium, moderator Marc Levitt: Friday, August 24, 7-9 PM

"Be brave Wakefield, Wake Up Field" begins South County architect Troy West's explosive call-to-action, written in response to what he feels is "the most salient issue of our time," defending our natural resources. Together with Newport artist Claudia Flynn, West curates the August exhibition, which features the works of fifteen Northeast artists whose artworks tackle the thorny issue of environmental preservation, or rather its lack.

West is a South County architect who has run Troy West Associates since 1972. He has designed buildings in RI, NJ, CT, and MN, and has achieved numerous awards and honors. Most recently, in the 1998 International Urban Design Competition, he was awarded First Prize for his Southside Broad Street Providence Neighborhood Revitalization. Co-curator Flynn holds a BFA in sculpture from RISD and has exhibited in RI, Boston, and San Francisco.

Fifteen artists from New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island will exhibit sculpture, painting, photography, or mixed media works in the exhibition.

Participating artists are: Alexandra Broches, Brian Collier, Tom Deininger, Joyce Devine, Iris Falk Donnelly, Ana Flores, Claudia Flynn, Paula Krauss, Michele Leavitt, Paula Piekos, Maria Scaglione, Charlee Swanson, Fotini Vurgaropulou, Troy West, and Anker West.Curator Flynn explains that each artist in the show conveys his or her own perspective of one or more aspects of the broad theme, industrial or development of the land which either directly or pervasively affects the environment. Her own piece, Uniform Landscape, a turf installation depicting identical cutout figures, "evokes our interconnectedness with the earth" and asks viewers to "reconsider controlling the environment to form-fit our conventions."

A symposium featuring local environmental activists and artists will be held on Friday, August 24, from 7-9 PM at the gallery. Moderator Marc Levitt is a writer and speaker residing in Wakefield. Since 1988 Levitt has developed curriculums for schools throughout the US linking "everyday life" to writing. He is currently the Director and co-creator of the Charles Fortes Elementary School Museum Project, which he describes as a "site-specific curriculum braiding tool where students are curators of a museum of immigration and working class culture." In addition, Levitt is a renowned storyteller and speaker who has performed worldwide. Locally he can be founds as the radio host and producer of "Action Speaks" on WRNI.

Image Heather Leavitt, Bear

With this exhibition and symposium, Hera Gallery continues its tradition of presenting topical issues to the community for discussion and dialogue.

Back To Top