UNFiLTERED LAB/DREAMING of the SUN

Gloria Calderon-Saenz/Alicia Canary: UNFiLTERED LAB
Sean McCusker: DREAMING of the SUN

"UNFiLTERED LABS" features Playful Prints on Handmade Paper from locally grown plants

Alicia concocted this high fiber paper made from garlic stems and then Gloria created this series of prints intentionally using a wide range of themes and variations. She gave herself free license of expression from familiar places to the outer spaces of abstraction. Local places, people, animals, objects, free hand typography. It’s all there and unfiltered.

“DREAMING of the SUN”: Living in the quiet town of Becket, MA, Sean McCusker has developed a kinship with the solitude of the hilly landscape around him. Focusing this in his artwork he develops striking surreal landscapes full of color and mystery. The subjects of his paintings, although abstract, are reminiscent of the lone hero from film; confidently standing against the world yet yearning for the security of a home just over the horizon.

Sean’s paintings are made up of roughly thirty thin, transparent layers, each one adding complexity. As the layers are carefully worked up the composition's forms and colors become more contrasted, more dramatic. The translucent layers create a glowing composition of dark shadows suspended in light.

Contrasted by the stillness of the scene, drama unfolds as cascading shadows heavily contrast the colorful landscape. In his words, “I wanted to capture that moment of intensity just before or right after something extraordinary happens; that sense of either surrender to the inevitable or relief after a hard-fought battle.” This internal struggle, expressed through bold contrasts and rich color, lies at the heart of his work. Even in his monochromatic drawings, his frenetic linework charges the scenes with hidden dramatic tension.

Opening Reception Friday, September 4th 6pm to 8pm.
Closing Reception Friday September 25th 6pm to 8pm.
Gallery hours Saturdays and Sundays 1pm to 5pm.