April 18 - May 15, 2024
Origins of God:Cynthia Mailman
Side by Side: Grace Bakst Wapner
When This You See, Remember Me: Ann Kronenberg
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 18, 2024, 5 - 8pm
Carter Burden Gallery presents three new exhibitions: Origins of God featuring mixed media painting on paper by Cynthia Mailman; Side by Side featuring fiber and ceramic wall installations by Grace Baskt Wapner; and On the Wall featuring the installation When This You See, Remember Me by Ann Kronenberg. The reception will be on Thursday, April 18 from 5pm to 8pm. Masks are encouraged. The exhibitions run from April 18 - May 15, 2024, at 548 West 28th Street in New York City. The gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Exhibition List
Origins of God: Cynthia Mailman
In her first solo exhibition with Carter Burden Gallery, Cynthia Mailman presents Origins of God featuring mixed media painting on paper. Originally conceived as an artist’s book in 1978, Mailman's works were intended to be a narrative experience, guiding viewers through an odyssey of interconnected ideas. Stemming from her painting God, created for the Sister Chapel project, these pieces burgeoned into an expansive and ongoing series, delving into the genesis of deity representation. At the heart of Origins of God lies an exploration into ancient imagery, offering compelling evidence that early conceptions of divinity were predominantly female. Through a meticulous blend of watercolor, gouache paint, ink, pencil, and mixed media, Mailman crafts a visual discourse that intertwines artistic expression with scholarly research. Central to her methodology is the incorporation of statements from esteemed authorities, scholars, and thinkers of antiquity, lending historical weight to her creative interpretations. Mailman expands, “Recently I have found the need to “speak” more of our present times. I never imagined that a woman’s sovereignty over her own body could be rewritten or canceled. But much as early female deities were replaced by other entities, mostly male, female agency is again under assault.”
Cynthia Mailman was born in The Bronx to Russian immigrant parents. She graduated from The School of Industrial Arts, (now The High School of Art and Design) in Manhattan, earned a BS in Art and Art Education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and later, an MFA at The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. She has taught at institutions including the New York City Public School System, Livingston College at Rutgers University, and Queensborough Community College at City University of New York. As a member of The Public Arts group of the CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Acts) Artists Project, Mailman created the monumental 54-foot mural, Commuter Landscape, in the PATH station at the World Trade Center, tragically destroyed in the 1993 bombing. A founding member of the SOHO20 Gallery, Mailman's extensive exhibition history comprises of over two dozen solo shows and numerous group exhibitions. Notable recent exhibitions include Don’t Shut Up at Snug Harbor Cultural Center (2021) and The Difference We’ve Made at the Carter Burden Gallery (2022), where she also served as a co-curator. Mailman's work has been collected by institutions such as the Akron Art Museum in Ohio, The New Jersey State Museum, The Everson Museum, and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, among others. Her impact on the art world has been documented in publications including the New York Times, Art News, and The Feminist Art Journal. Cynthia Mailman remains a staunch supporter and advocate for women’s rights.
Side by Side: Grace Bakst Wapner
Grace Bakst Wapner's exhibition Side by Side features wall-mounted sculptures that seamlessly blend ceramic and textile elements. Her works intricately constructed and layered, possess an understated tranquility that belies their complexity. Against backdrops of organza, chiffon, satin, and buckram, which ripple and sway in response to the ambient air, infusing each piece with a dynamic sense of movement, Wapner employs a rich array of materials including thread and paint. This amalgamation of mediums—incorporating painting, hand stitching, and machine sewing—serves to underscore and exalt the intrinsic harmony within her work. At the thematic core of Wapner's oeuvre lies a profound exploration of duality: of disparity and correlation, color and texture, form and the distillation of form. While each artwork stands as a distinct entity, the presence of a companion piece hanging alongside invites viewers to discern unexpected parallels and resonances. By presenting her work in pairs, Wapner encourages an immersive engagement wherein visual and emotional associations, which might otherwise evade notice, are brought to the forefront. The juxtaposition of tension and connection inherent in these paired sculptures serves to amplify the tactile immediacy of both, challenging visitors to contemplate the interplay of materials and forms. In Side by Side, Grace Bakst Wapner orchestrates an enchanting dialogue between her creations, encouraging you to embark on a journey of discovery where every glance reveals new layers of meaning.
Grace Bakst Wapner was born in 1934 in Brooklyn, New York. Wapner received her BA from Bennington College and attended the summer MFA program at Bard College. She received a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Sculpture Award for 1978-1979, a National Academy of Arts and Letters Purchase Prize Award in 2013, and an Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award from the Byrdcliffe Guild in 2015. After being a member of 55 Mercer St. Gallery from 1973 until 1978, she joined the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in New York City where she had six one-person shows. Wapner has had 27 one-person shows and participated in over 100 group exhibitions. She has been featured in many notable publications including the New York Times,the New Yorker,the Village Voice, Art Business News among many others. Her work is in public and private collections across the country.
When This You See, Remember Me: Ann Kronenberg
When I am dead and in my grave
And all my bones are rotten
When this you see, remember me
That I am not forgotten.
In a captivating homage to the enduring legacy of needlework, artist Ann Kronenberg unveils her installation, reimagining discarded textiles as components of a monumental fabric assemblage. When This You See, Remember Me serves as an exploration of craftsmanship, memory, and preservation. Drawing inspiration from the poignant 18th and 19th-century poem above, which was embellished onto embroidered textiles, Kronenberg delves into the notion that the artistry of needlework often outlasts the needleworkers themselves. In an era dominated by machine-manufactured textiles and shifting societal norms, Kronenberg's work offers a compelling reflection on the evolving role of handcrafted textiles. Over the span of five decades, Kronenberg meticulously collected a diverse array of handcrafted items and fragments. These treasures, sourced from used textile dealers, thrift shops, and personal connections, weave together a narrative of craftsmanship and tradition. Each piece carries with it a story—a testament to the dedication and skill of its creator. Through her installation, Kronenberg breathes new life into these relics, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate beauty of needlework and the stories embedded within each stitch. Kronenberg states, “The installation is completed by written accounts of the histories of selected needlework components—an effort to remember and honor my needlework collaborators, both the known and the anonymous.”
Ann Kronenberg is a versatile artist and writer whose creative endeavors span a wide array of mediums, including sculptural objects, installations, book works, works on paper, handmade paper works, wearables, and performance art. Beyond her visual creations, Kronenberg also delves into literature, crafting memoirs and texts for her book works, adding depth and narrative to her artistic expressions. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and exhibition spaces in New York City and across the nation. With a rich background in education, Kronenberg has shared her passion for art with students of all ages, teaching adult education courses, children and adolescents, and facilitating continuing professional education. Her extensive experience extends beyond the classroom, encompassing roles in arts and non-profit administration, editorial work for artists' newsletters, published art criticism, clothing design for retail markets, and costume design for performances. Additionally, her illustrations have been featured in national magazines, showcasing her multifaceted talents. She studied art and art history extensively, earning her MFA in sculpture from Hunter College. However, her academic journey began with her undergraduate major in biological sciences, receiving an AB from Cornell University, and continued with years of teaching science and working in laboratories. This unique background infuses her art with a distinctive perspective, as her scientific training informs both her subject matter and analytical approach to artistic creation.
When This You See, Remember Me is on view from April 18 - July 24, 2024.
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