Taos News

‘Outside the Lines’

BY DENA MILLER

FOR THE LAST four years the “Outside the Lines” exhibit has become an annual tradition for a group of artists who call themselves the Art Critique Group. It is a showcase always held at Bareiss Gallery and always scheduled to coincide with the Taos Fall Arts Festival.

Their history together extends well beyond that four years; the cohesiveness of the group has been nurtured through their monthly meetings during which they elect to follow a standard critiquing process utilized by art historians and art critics: description; analysis; interpretation; and judgment.

“We’ve worked well together and we want to stay together sharing our art,” explained artist Robert Parker, who is co-curating the show.

This year, nine of the group’s artists will be exhibiting their work and hosting an opening reception at Bareiss on Friday (Sept. 23) from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is free and all members of the public are welcome. The show concludes Oct. 2, with daily hours between 1 to 5 p.m.

The collection of artists evolved

‘We’ve worked well together and we want to stay together sharing our art,’ explained artist Robert Parker, who is co-curating the show.

from an advanced painting class held at UNM-Taos with then-Art Department Chair Jeremy McDonnell, said Barbara Zaring, whose work is also included in the exhibition.

According to a statement from McDonnell, “We realized we were artists not just working our craft, but also interested in reading and learning. Each participant was understood to be an individual who would contribute to the learning, health and development of a critical exchange.”

After the class ended the artists continued to meet in an informal critique seminar of their own making, discussing art history, current art events and techniques; sharing new ideas and new work with the other artists; and receiving feedback in a non-judgmental form of critique learned in the seminars.

The camaraderie of the artists — whose works span the gamut of mediums, from oils and acrylics, to mixed media, to Lino cuts and colorful ink monotypes — is one thread that weaves through “Outside the Lines.” But there’s more to it than that.

They are, said Palmer, artists who have spent years on their craft, moving out of the intellectual phase of their work and into the freedom of “knowing where we’re going. What may have once been influencing now becomes background to the process; there’s no need to replicate another’s work. We’re comfortable emotionally with storytelling and story listening.”

It is freedom, indeed: freedom to push their boundaries and explore their own art, their ideas and thoughts. “I think what differentiates this group is the critical thinking that we each employ,” Parker continued. “We are comfortable letting our ideas mature.”

Jane Ellen Burke, co-curator of the show, agreed. She joined the group several years ago and found it a constructive environment for all of the participants, quick to point out that critiquing is definitely not criticizing. “It’s a helpful means for all of us to have honest opinions of what is working; what is not; or where we may wish to modify or rethink our work.”

When you visit the show the artists hope you, too, will tap into some critical thinking. “Just seeing something on the surface may be fine, but so many more doors open when you engage visual critiquing: why does this piece of art make you stop and look? What does it say to you?” Parker, as do the others, want visitors to enjoy the exploration.

And the walls are full of truly fine art to savor, curated and hung in harmony with plenty of room for each piece to breathe. In addition to Parker, Zaring and Burke, the renowned participating artists include: Maury Calvert, Dora Dillistone, T. J. Mabrey, Marcia Oliver, Brian Shields and Jameson Wells. Several of them will be showing their work concurrently at Taos Fall Arts Festival as well.

For the fall art festival season, this is one group that has decided to push aside the boundaries and truly go outside the lines. Join them in this celebration of thoughtful creativity and, possibly, discover you’ve pushed boundaries of your own.

The Bareiss Gallery is located at 15 NM 150 in El Prado. For further information call 575-776-2284, or visit taosartappraisal.com

VISUAL ARTS

en-us

2022-09-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-22T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://taosnews.pressreader.com/article/282303913999187

Santa Fe New Mexican