43 SELF-PORTRAITS

First of all, there are no self portraits in this three person show, but it is a well known axiom that all works of art are, in certain respects, self portraits. It is interesting to inquire in what way certain works manifest as a presentation of the self.

Andrea Bruce said of her working methods, that she will search historical images, especially black and white images from the 20s and 30s in search of some face that sparks a reaction. Using those images and a starting point, the paintings evolve as an experiment in color ideas. In the finished work the original image disappears, and so in every brushmark, and choice of colors the personality of the painter emerges. Her paintings are almost always portraits, and so it is easy to understand that in the painting resides the self portrait.

Sarah Horne does paintings that are all abstractions.  In this work the self portrait emerges in the gestural nature of the brush strokes. Just as a person’s signature can never be completely forged, so the artist's brushmark contains the DNA of the artist's self. And the forger who copies a signature will always fail because their own personality, their own self portrait will assert itself to foil the attempt. Then we can consider the color sense, from blue-black to various shades of pink and mauve, one gets a feeling for the range of her emotional identity. 

Alyssa Mack displays photographs that are not of herself, none of her 10 pictures are “selfies,” however, in the choice of her subject, in the setting, in the color sense , and in the composition, the identity of the photographer is so present, that it is hard to imagine that the subject isn’t herself in actual fact. Alyssa’s urgency to pour her identity into these images is beautifully expressed in what she poetically has to say about her work. When editing these sensual portraits, I was suddenly struck with awe. There in front of me was what is now the centerpiece of this gallery. I experienced the most powerful reaction I have ever had to a photo. It was dripping with emotion despite the subject's face being covered. Sitting on that rock, surrounded by the depths of the forest. The river runs by her bare feet and sits within the bowl next to her.  I was transported into the scene. I knew at that moment these photos had to be seen by the public. As a testimony for the importance of staying connected to yourself. Self love through reflection and expression. To find peace within.

43 Self-Portraits will be up from January till the end of March,. Join us for our first gallery opening at the Dot, at dotties_dorothys. March 1, from 4 to 6

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge_Dorothy's Estaminet
438/444 North St., Pittsfield
1 413 443 1792

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