The University of New England Art Gallery at the Ketchum Library in Biddeford is pleased to present "Hands to Work: Women, Craft, and Radical Experiment," opening Wednesday, June 15.
Featuring the work of Chrystina Gastelum, Lesia Sochor, Scout Curtin, and Mark Mulholland, the exhibit examines the ways in which traditional women's work and home economics are subverted, challenged, and celebrated by the visual artist. Co-curated by Curtin, a New York-based painter, the display will also look at the history of the region including the former Shaker village in Alfred, Maine, and other Shaker sites. Reciprocal programming with Engine in downtown Biddeford will extend the conversation (dates to be announced).
"Craft and fine art are held as opposing purposes of making - craft for physical function and fine art for viewing," Curtin explained. "Exploring the intersection of these modes through medium, narrative, and history highlights the blurriness of this boundary as well as the essential and often complicated function of the 'home,' materially of domestic objects, and the narrative importance of both the useful and useless object."
The UNE Art Galleries are free and open to the public. Galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Biddeford gallery is located within the Jack S. Ketchum Library, located 11 Hills Beach Road. While there is no formal reception for this exhibit, appointments may be made with Gallery Director Hilary Irons as well as the artists. Contact [email protected] to schedule