OUR FUTURE IS FORWARD

BACK TO THE FUTURE OPENS

CarriageHouse Arts received a generous grant from Suffolk County's Office of Film and Cultural Affairs to highlight the work of former Carriage House residents in Back to the Future, an exhibit in which contemporary artists drew inspiration from historic objects in the Suffolk County Historical Society's 24,000 piece Permanent Collection. The exhibition was so popular it was extended through December. There's still time to see it. Click on the Suffolk County Historical Society's website for days and hours.

Cara Barer photographs sculptures she makes from old books. Their wave-like shapes suggest a state of flux. They are metaphors that ask us to consider the fate of books and archives like those in the SCHS collection that are about to digatalized.

Karen Shaw's map installation questions the arbitrary nature of man-made borders. It was displayed next to antique maps that show the outlines of American Indian territories on Long Island that no longer exist.

Judith Condon's ceramics, with their warts-and-all sensibility, update traditional tropes of the portrait bust.

Donna Sharrett memorial wreaths are made of human hair, buttons, clothes and other items that had intimate contact with the deceased. They were inspired by 19th Century hair wreaths in the Suffolk County Historical Society's Permanent Collection, by mandalas and by the Rose Windows at Chartres.

Andy Warhol's Souper Dress commented on our disposable society. The dress was meant to be thrown away at the first sign of wear and tear. The iconic work was exhibited next to an elaborate mourning costume from the Suffolk County Historical Society's archives--a dress meant to be saved and cherished for generations. With thanks to the Woodward Gallery for this loan.

Our invitations featured the work of Judy Richardson and Keith Long.

Susan Hoeltzel's drawings of farm implements are based on historic tools in the SCHS collection.

Keith Long created dresses from furniture parts in his "Ready-to-Wear" series of sculptures.

Katherine Frey was inspired by formal dinnerware in the SCHS collection. Her pieces are made of plastic and contain scenes of her own apartment and the random items she has collected over the years.

Judy Richardson created an installation of vessels made of old bicycle tires which she staged on top of an historic buffet from the Suffolk County Historical Society collection. Her work evokes the depictions of property and wealth in Dutch Master paintings. 

The Suffolk County Historical Society has an unusual collection of taxidermied birds of Long Island. Inspired by birds of prey, Elizabeth Duffy created collages from materials she scavenged on Manhattan streets. Her images were based on the work of Audubon and environmentalist Rachel Carson.

Rob Carter also exhibited a video that used pop-ups made of paper to illustrate the rapid growth of major urban cities.  

CarriageHouse Arts continues to support artists and artists' projects in 2014. Let us hear from you!

In the Good Ol' Summer Time

ALAN RUIZ AT WAVE HILL

CarriageHouse Arts continues to support artists and artists' projects. We are proud to sponsor Alan Ruiz's work at Wave Hill in Riverdale, NY. Ruiz was selected to install a site-specific work through Wave Hill's Sun Room project, a prestigeous showcase for emerging artists in the tri-state area. Ruiz's work, Against Nature, will be on view through December 1.

Alan Ruiz 's installation, Against Nature,  is made of  layers of steel studs that form an
 envelope around the perimeter of the Sun Room at Wave Hill.

The steel studs interact with the outdoors in a way that sunlight becomes a medium.

The barrier questions ideas of inside and outside, access and denial, public and private.

Ruiz’s Sunroom Project, Against Nature, adds to his ongoing body of work that explores architectural screens as socially and politically emblematic forms. The industrial steel frame occludes the large, iconic windows of the sunroom site. Modern building material is juxtaposed with the neo-classical design of  Wave Hill's Glyndor House. Ruiz takes metal building studs, which are typically hidden from view, and puts them on display as an elegant, minimalist sculpture.

Ruiz received his MFA from Yale University and graduated from Pratt Institute in Manhattan. He is an adjunct professor at Pratt and a visiting professor at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY. He has exhibited widely and has received numerous awards and grants.

Our Support and Program are Still Strong

This summer, CarriageHouse Arts provided funding to several artists, as well as underwriting two exciting exhibitions featuring the work of emerging artists. Check our blog in the next two weeks for complete information about our projects.

Applying for CarriageHouse Arts funds is easy. Our application is on our website. Just follow the instructions, upload images and send your idea to us. We will review your proposal and let you know within the month.

Suddenly Last Summer

OR SUDDENLY THE LAST SUMMER...

Summer residents at the Carriage House were Paul Santoleri, Brian Alfred and Michelle Carollo.

Summer at the Carriage House was one of our most productive. The three residents differed in their styles and approaches, which made for lively cross-pollination of ideas and attitudes.

PAUL SANTOLERI

Paul Santoleri created rooms of graffiti inspired drawings, many in three dimensions.

Paul lives in Philadelphia but installs projects around the world. He has been commissioned to create a 60 foot-long feather in the Philadelphia Airport this year. During his Carriage House stay he created preliminary drawings for the project, and eventually drew a 30 foot-long version on a wall in his studio.

Paul's work often started on walls, then continued onto floors and ceilings

BRIAN ALFRED

Brian Alfred's portraits are often satiric, as is this depiction of China's leader underwater.

Brian Alfred's paintings have received praise for their insightful social commentary. His portraits are influenced by an earlier generation of artists, most notably Alex Katz, but are squarely rooted in the 21st Century. He is represented by Haunch of Venison Gallery.

Alfred's portraits are masterful and haunting 

MICHELLE CAROLLO

Michelle Carollo's collages are part geometry, part cartoon and part graffiti 

Michelle Carollo creates playful geometric structures and paintings. While in residence, she experimented with drawing techniques and ideas for new installations. She created an indoor camp in her Carriage House studio, complete with tent and sleeping bags.

Michelle's pup tent, which visitors were invited to inhabit

 In the final month of the residency, our staff was informed that the  Town of Islip, which owned the building, needed the Carriage House for other, more mundane purposes. In August, when Paul, Brian and Michelle complete their project, the Carriage House doors closed for good. But the program's financial support for artists remains...and our enthusiasm and creative spirit is stronger than ever. For updates on the Carriage House program, visit our website at: carriagehousearts.org. We'll be glad to consider your projects.

From the Ashes

WE'RE CHANGING OUR PROGRAM...

Graffiti artist Paul Santoleri created this emblem of anxiety 

Don't worry...Don't worry...We know you're anxious...Here's the story:

Even though our residence and our residential program closed in August, CarriageHouse Arts continues to provide resources for artists and artists' projects.  Our organization offers funds, materials and support to encourage emerging artists to take risks, push disciplines and advance their careers. For information, or to apply, go to our website: carriagehousearts.org.   We want to hear from you.