The Best of Two Worlds in “Hold and Release” Exhibition
Ximena Arceo ‘29
Photo by Ximena Arceo ‘29
Whether it was taking a break from work or hanging out with friends, the “Hold and Release” exhibition was a must-see. From Jan. 21 through Mar. 1 in The Gallery at Heimbold Visual Arts Center, photographer Sophie Barbasch and painter Marion Wilson collaborated in a single space. Artworks presented consisted of portraits and landscapes. According to Wilson’s website, it centered “themes of the body, aging, femininity, intimacy, vulnerability, and the family, the images explore everyday moments with humor and honesty.”
Instead of separating the two art forms, the exhibition combined both of them in a way that felt natural. The pairing of seemingly different works created a fluid interaction between the two. They are not isolated pieces casually placed together, but rather an extension of each other. As one moved along through the exhibition, whatever direction one took, a strong connection between all the images displayed was constantly felt.
Marion Wilson’s watercolor paintings are vibrant. The election of colors is deliberate, mostly using two or three at a time, creating a contrasting yet complementary composition. The focus is directed towards specific features or emphasizing a certain expression in the portraits. Water and its uses play important roles in Wilson’s art. As the name of the exhibition suggests, it is controlled and also let loose. Some strokes are more restrained, while others expand and take their own form. Different textures are created with the brush. Some defined and sharp lines coexist with freer shapes. Wilson really embodies the holding and realising of the brush in her images.
Differently, Sophie Barbasch’s black and white photographs are full of life. Her images portray glimpses of everyday life. People and natural landscapes are portrayed in a vulnerable way. The subjects of the photographs are lying down or standing up, with their eyes closed or looking straight into the camera. The images are simple, direct and uncluttered. The choice of them being black and white helps the composition remain pretty straightforward. There’s an even more evident intimacy and honesty to the photographs. Ordinary situations are made significant, leaving the impression of an emotional weight attached. As with Wilson’s work, Barbasch takes control of the way she chooses to take the photographs while letting go of the moment in time that is captured.
The exhibition was accompanied by an essay by Mark Alice Durant, titled “While We Are Here.” Durant explains and highlights the differences in the work of the artists while stating that both are “interested in structure and dissolution.” This is evident in the way each chose to create their art. He goes on to say the different ways in which their images interact and collaborate, both embody “the idea that images are flexible, associative, and cumulative.”
Photo by Ximena Arceo ‘29
As we usually encounter in our daily lives, this exhibition reminded us of the power of balancing structure and freedom. It also allowed us to reflect on the importance of the little things that define us, our experiences and emotions as we grow. When stepping into the exhibition space, we could let loose and take everything in as we explored.
