The Marion Art Center’s latest exhibit brings together the works of two artists who share a common goal of finding the beauty and meaning that hides within and bringing it into the light. The show is titled Emergence. Very apropos for a spring event.
Tracey J. Maroni is a painter whose canvasses explore what lies beneath the surface such as the flower bulbs of spring or the skies above. Paula Stebbins Becker is a textile artist whose displayed works are crafted from weavings that have been deconstructed and then reimaged into something new.
Maroni told us that she is and always has been inspired by the natural world. “I’ve been an observer my whole life.”
Through those observations, Maroni finds the colors and the layers that inform her paintings. She said that she has worked in many mediums including water color. Maroni confided that several of her professors while studying at university were tremendously supportive, including one who purchased an early watercolor. “I was brought to tears,” Maroni recalled.
Maroni believes that planets are living-giving entities and as such exist both above and below the earth’s surface. Imagined cross-sectional views of flowers emerging from beneath the earth’s surface reaching towards the sun are a major theme in the works now on exhibit.
Maroni’s paintings are subtle and give a restful, non-turbulent expression through plant life and the surrounding atmosphere. She incorporates the technique of layering paper over areas of the canvas, thus giving the finished piece texture and depth. Maroni holds a BFA from the University of Amherst.
Stebbins Becker works with the tangible threads, yarns and fabrics. She explained the process of taking finished weavings and carefully taking them apart either in total or in part, sometimes leaving threads in place like memories of what was. Throughout the process of deconstructing and then constructing, Stebbins Becker said, “I allow the hand and the thread to lead the way, intuitively building layers and textures that bring about surprises …”
The materials the artist employs run a surprising gamut from Thai hemp batik, linen warp, hand-dyed threads and even barks and exotic woods to name a few. In one series of weavings, she asks the viewer to “cultivate” compassion, peace, and joy – a process of giving. In another series, she asks the viewer to “harvest” – a taking action. The giving and taking actions are expressed in exquisite complexity. Also rather apropos for this time in human history.
Threads are the main element of Stebbins Becker’s works. Even the smallest pieces are conserved during the deconstruction process, pieces that may be used for knotting sections together. She wrote in her artist’s statement, “Unraveled fabrics and threads are gathered, bundled, layered, wrapped and woven into a new piece.” This process of reordering, reorganizing and creating something new keeps the creative intentions flowing.
Stebbins Becker has also taken completed textile works and added still-life elements, which are then photographed. Once again, giving new life and meaning to the original threads.
Stebbins Becker received an MFA in Fibers from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
This breathtaking exhibit draws one’s eye deep into the displayed works, then returns one refreshed back to the here and now. The show is open now through May 6. Visit marionartcenter.org for details.
By Marilou Newell