Shape Shifters: A Group Exhibition of Irregular Dimensions

Garvey/Simon Art and Startup Curatorial present Shape Shifters, a new group exhibition of mixed media artwork. Curated by artist and Startup Director Ray Beldner, the exhibit brings together the work of Stephanie Beck, Ray Beldner, Joan Grubin, Miriam Hitchcock, Rich Lanet, Carrie Lederer, Kerry Vander Meer, and Valerie Wilcox.

In the early 20th century, artists like Picasso and Braque pioneered the use of collage, while the Surrealists incorporated the elements of time, chance, and play into their practices. These artists working with unusual materials and found objects began to present their work in rawer forms, untethered by the rectangle. Today, these techniques are widely accepted. However, not long ago, this kind of work represented a radical break from the concept that the artwork was “representation,” a “window” into the artist’s self-contained world. Instead, these artists asked us to consider art as an experience, and the art object as a tool to access new experiences.

The Shape Shifters exhibition includes the work of artists who eschew traditional formats, work with unconventional materials, embrace the unexpected, and revel in the joy of invention. By ignoring the physical limitations of the frame, their work often creates an immersive experience and an intimate relationship between the viewer and the artwork.

Using unconventional materials and formats, each of the artists in Shape Shifters shifts the viewer’s expectations and assumptions about what art should look like, be made of, and how it shares space with us. They encourage the viewer to engage more deeply with the artwork and to consider its form and content in a new light.

Garvey/Simon is open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm. Admission is FREE.