UNH Art Gallery Exhibitions Focus On Capturing The Moment

Contact: Lori Wright
603-862-0574
UNH Media Relations

Jan. 10, 2005



DURHAM, N.H. – Images that capture the realism of the moment through photography and painting are the focus of two new exhibitions opening at the University of New Hampshire Art Gallery Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005.
     
The exhibitions, Prospect of Light: Images from Pinhole and Plastic Cameras and George Nick: An Artist's Conscience, explore the use of natural, unmanipulated light to capture the moment, resulting in images that showcase the color and tonal quality of their diverse subjects. The preview reception for both exhibitions takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 5-7:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
     
With the growing popularity and ease of digital photography, the basic process of capturing an image has been obscured. Prospect of Light: Images from Pinhole and Plastic Cameras features photographs made using  “low-tech” equipment -- pinhole (primitive, lens-less) cameras and plastic ($2 plastic Diana or Holga) cameras. The works, made by photographers from throughout the United States and France, represent a range of visionary styles. While these artists may choose to shoot with primitive equipment, their printing choices incorporate very sophisticated techniques. The exhibit runs through April 20.

The exhibition, organized by the University of Maine Museum of Art, includes work by photographers Jonathan Bailey, John Boeckeler, Daniel Bouzard, David Burnett, Anne-Claude Cotty, Walter Crump, Christopher James, Gregg D. Kemp, Douglas Lucak, Robert Owen, Harvey Stein, Craig J. Sterling, and Willie Anne Wright. Jonathan Bailey, who served as guest co-curator, will present a gallery talk on the exhibition on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at noon at The Art Gallery, as part of the ArtBreak program series.

George Nick, 1928 Bugatti Type 35 B Works Car, 1999 oil on linen, 41" x 32".

In George Nick: An Artist's Conscience, the acclaimed realist painter presents works created over the past 25 years. Throughout his career, George Nick has sought to find and capture the “truthfulness” in the world around him. His images of urban architecture, the landscape, and classic automobiles reflect his direct and immediate approach to painting. Regardless of the imagery, the prime intention and desire is to capture the moment. The exhibit runs through March 10.

Nick, professor emeritus at the Massachusetts College of Art, will present a slide lecture and gallery talk on the exhibition Wednesday, Feb. 2, at noon at The Art Gallery.
     
George Nick: An Artist's Conscience was organized by the Concord Art Association, Concord, Mass., with the support of Gallery NAGA, Boston, and Fischbach Gallery, New York. Its UNH showing is funded in part by the S. Melvin and Mary Jo Rines Art Exhibition Fund. The exhibition is accompanied by a full-color, 48-page catalogue written by John Stomberg, curator of Williams College Museum, Williamstown, Mass., and David Cohen, Gallery Director at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.

ArtBreak Series: Wednesdays, noon -1 p.m.
Unless otherwise noted, programs are in the Paul Creative Arts Center (PCAC).
 
Jan. 26: Slide Lecture: Found Photos. Andrew Warren, Department of Art and Art History instructor of photography, presents a slide discussion on discarded photos and their social commentary on our personal views and contemporary lifestyles. Room A219.
 
Feb. 2: Slide Lecture/Gallery Talk: George Nick discusses his work on view in George Nick: An Artist's Conscience. Room A219 and The Art Gallery.
 
Feb. 9: Performance/Discussion: Cast members from the Theatre and Dance Department perform excerpts from Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. The Art Gallery.
 
Feb. 16: Slide Discussion: Valerie Cunningham, co-author of Black Portsmouth: Three Centuries of African-American Heritage, discusses the importance of archival photographs to historical research. Room A219.
 
Feb. 23: Slide Lecture/Gallery Talk: Jonathan Bailey, co-curator of the exhibition Prospect of Light: Images from Pinhole and Plastic Cameras, discusses the history, use, and impact of “low-tech” photographic images. Room A219 and The Art Gallery.
     
The Art Gallery presents exhibitions, special events, and weekly ArtBreak programs to the general public, free of charge. Hours of operation during the academic year are Monday-Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. The museum is closed on Fridays, university holidays, and during exhibition changes. The exhibitions and programs are supported in part by the Friends of The Art Gallery.
     
Guided group tours for schools and other organizations are available with advance reservation by contacting Catherine Wright, Education and Publicity Coordinator, at 603-862-3713 or at catherine.wright@unh.edu. For more information on the exhibitions and programs, contact The Art Gallery at 603-862-3712, art.gallery@unh.edu, or visit our website: www.unh.edu/art-gallery.

Editors: A photo of George Nick’s work is available for download at http://www.unh.edu/news/img/artgallery/nick.jpg. Cutline: George Nick, 1928 Bugatti Type 35 B Works Car, 1999 oil on linen, 41" x 32".