Juror's Choice: "About Face" Annex Awards
“Let your voice be heard..
These artists’ personal intimacy and confrontation, cultural, political, and personal engagement are clear and loud in this collection.”
At the First Friday Reception for “About Face” on August 4, 2023, Jurors Michelle May and Payal Thiffault announced the three recipients of this year’s Annex Exhibition Award. Here are their thoughts about the recipients, the selection process, their appreciation for the selected works, and their insights on the work in the show as a whole.
First
Nick Ward Boston, MA
“Private Message #2” Oil on panel, 60 x 40 x 1.5 inches
Nick’s paintings are an example of a time when the artist’s statement makes the viewer think far beyond the artwork presented. We view the art and extract our own meaning from the images in this stunning diptych of women, a bare torso, and a portrait. They could be the same woman or different women; the pixelated sections of the painting conjure the sound of static, from a television screen struggling to come into focus or a computer screen losing a video card. As a viewer, you are drawn immediately to the eyes and are absorbed into the festival of color in the face, so dramatic up close, but sublime from a distance.
Everything about this diptych attracted us and made us linger, and we unanimously chose it to be the first thing you see upon entering the gallery. Nick Ward’s statement takes us further into our own experience. The skill, professional presentation, and overall impact of Nick’s submission were just perfect as a statement piece for “About Face”.
Second
Robert Sullivan Portland, ME
“Cognitia” Oil on panel, 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches
“Meditora” Oil on panel, 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches
Immediately striking are the color bars dissecting the images. As an artist, you immediately want to investigate the color change and process; as a viewer, the three-dimensional qualities are outstanding. Unlike paintings, especially portraits, that we have seen, these deliver a unique and unconventional experience. The portraits themselves are hyperrealistic and the skill level is exquisite, making the inevitable inspection of the gaze even more impactful. When looking, we almost felt like a certain preparedness was warranted, as if one knows there is power there. You feel as if they are looking back at you, communicating something mysterious or otherworldly that you can’t hear, like a dream. Conceptually they were a true example of the requirements of the call.
Third
Delaney Conner New York, New York
“Ugh”
Punch Needle Embroidery (fiber) 30 x 24 x 1 inch
“Love That for Me” Punch Needle Embroidery (fiber) 30 x 24 x 1 inch
We could not help but wonder beyond the confines of the thread and fibers, the exquisite exactness, and the beautiful colors which gently and simultaneously create sharpness in these portraits. The color schemes are high contrast, creating bold, vibrant multi-chromatic color palettes in each, from black to almost white.
Conjecture exists until you read Delaney’s statement, because of course, the artwork is subjective and depends on the experiences of the viewer. Today, a photo of a person means something quite different than the same photo fifty years ago, or even fifteen years ago. Delaney’s process of breaking down shapes into their simplest forms and re-colorizing them can offer a conversation past the stereotypical discussion of viewing a portrait of a beautiful woman.
What do you see? We see the impact of architectural design and art brought together in a highly skilled presentation. We did not expect to see embroidery in the top choices. Delaney’s pair could not be overlooked.
To every artist...
With only three choices, we are left wanting to celebrate more. Each submission on view is outstanding and all the artists should be commended. Selecting art allows us to profoundly express our own personal preferences in our choices and it was a pure delight to choose this work for About Face and Fountain Street. It may come down to your statements that help push your work over the finish line, as they did for this show; with 691 submissions, every single element matters.
A strong emotional quotient started revealing itself immediately to us as we viewed this collection. The visual stories selected are executed expertly throughout the show. We are so proud to say that every artist in this show should be celebrated. As you walk around the room, we positioned each piece in relation to those next to them as they are connected in some way, by color, style, feel, or narrative.
When submitting art to high-level shows it is imperative to include every criterion and to go beyond the obvious once you are selected. Caring for and packing art and preparing the work for ease in hanging really matters. These touches are often remembered by the gallerists. Their reaction to receiving your work should never be underestimated, as professionalism is revealed further.
It is with so much gratitude that Juniper Rag assisted with this show. We are very honored to have viewed all the work and to have worked so closely with Marie Craig and Fountain Street. A real pleasure. Thank you.