The St. Augustine Art Association marched into the New Year with a display of artwork unlike any of their other monthly exhibitions. Artists challenged themselves through abstraction and experimentation to create works that reflect non-traditional standards and narratives. They drew inspiration from Pop Artists like Andy Warhol and David Hockney and Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock. On the gallery walls are paintings, collages, assemblages, sculptures and other mediums giving you glimpses into the artists’ emotions, social viewpoints, and daily struggles.
“Cutting Edge themes, content, and use of materials compel artistic expression to be more creative and less restrictive of boundaries. It is my feeling that many of the works in this show reflected the artist’s intent to challenge tradition, and this is without question, present in the award-winning artworks,” said Gerald Branch, professional artist and judge for the 2020 Cutting Edge Art Exhibition.
Ten artists received awards for their artistic achievements and edgy concepts, but all of the participating artists can be commended for their creative efforts. Relationships, fragility and personality complexities are addressed in Lindsay Merwin’s painting, Glass which received the Jean Wagner Troemel Best in Show Award. Per Hans Romnes tells a story of life balance and fleeting time in his 3D mixed-media piece, Equilibrium which won the 97Park First Place Award. Painter and sculptor Jerome Domask was selected for the Alice Alger Most Creative Award for his driftwood and metal sculpture Mother Earth Threatened by Mankind. When looked at, the piece can be seen in a few ways, but the narrative is clear: the cause and effect humans have on nature.
Xi Guo’s mesmerizing watercolor “Dreaming of Butterfly 11” received the 97Park Second Place Award, and Sara Cibelli came in third for her detailed quilted scene “Wanakena Foot Bridge.” The 97Park Fourth Place Award was given to Donna McCarthy’s “Kimono,” a wearable piece woven from recycled National Geographic magazines. Four works, diverse in mediums and expression, achieved honorable mentions: “Flowers” by Deborah Thompson, “Run, Hide, Fight” by Robert Arbogast, “Self Portrait” by Reed Pedlow, and “Astral Lotus – Adult” by Sandra Maler.
The Cutting Edge Art Exhibition is on display at the St. Augustine Art Association now through Sunday, February 2, 2020. All of the artwork in the exhibit is for sale unless noted otherwise with proceeds benefitting the artists, the programs and exhibitions of the St. Augustine Art Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art organization. The Gallery is open to the public six days a week: Tuesday through Saturday, 12-4pm and Sundays 2-5pm. Free Admission.
For more information call (904) 824-2310 or go to www.staaa.org.
