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This spring, Curator Aubrey Hobart is throwing open the vaults to display some of the most unusual and rarely-seen works of art in RMAC’s collection. Alien Forms is a celebration of all things weird and wonderful in the world of art, from a tall, spindly textile sculpture by RAiR artist Rebecca Davis to the organic swirls of Emil Bisttram, and a goofy parody of modern art by Gustave Baumann. Images of enormous insects or a dozen screaming faces may be disconcerting to some, but the details of their production reveal new insights about the role that art is supposed to play in our society. Read More.
New Mexico is a place with so much to offer. From our stunning landscapes, unique architecture, and ranching culture, to our Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo heritage, the artists in this exhibition all worked in a grand scale to immerse the viewer in the state’s wide open spaces. Whether incorporating indigenous plants into their artwork or combining old and new traditions, these artists are showcasing the best of the Land of Enchantment.
Whether we’re taking a road trip, commuting to work, riding the bus, or jogging through the neighborhood, motion and transition define much of our lives. Here at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, we’re also in a state of motion, not only physically through the changing of exhibitions, but also intellectually as we offer new programs and classes that better suit the needs of our public.
In celebration of our forward momentum, In Transit takes a fun look at the idea of movement, transportation, and overall change. Drawn from the permanent collection, this show presents the idea of transit in a variety of forms, from physical transportation to spiritual enlightenment. Some works, such as the replica wagons, reference the western migrations of the nineteenth century across the United States, as people sought out new opportunities in the American Southwest. Other works evoke a more internal, intellectual kind of movement, with knowledge and spiritual awareness becoming the means to moving into a different plane of being. What all of these works share is a sense of transition, and we invite you to enjoy the spirit of change.
For Qwist Joseph, his thought process travels through object creation, collection and composition, working intuitively to reveal the poetic nature of how something transitions from an idea to the physical world. He then freezes these ephemeral moments in permanent materials like ceramic and bronze to create a tension between the past, present and future. This record sheds light on the effects of life, encouraging vulnerability and self-reflection.
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December 1, 2018 - January 27, 2019
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 1, 4- 6:30 pm
(During our Holiday Open House)
Artist's Lecture at 4 pm
Spring River Gallery
Quilting has become an increasingly diverse and prominent art form since the late twentieth century. What was once considered primarily a craft, is rightfully being appreciated as an art form, with artists creating a diverse range of works. From naturalistic, pictorial quilts to expressive, nonobjective works, quilts have become as diverse as the contemporary art world itself, reflecting new and different ideas as more people contribute to its ongoing development as art. Read more
For centuries, still life painting has been an important artistic genre. More than a depiction of objects, artists have used this subject to discuss broader themes of mortality, wealth, cultural exchange, and other ideas. In New Mexico in particular, still life has been used as a means to explore this state’s rich and complex multicultural heritage, with artists painting santos, blankets and other objects that highlight Spanish and Native American influences. Read more
In Love Letters to the Poorly Regarded, Joshua Hagler presents a group of new paintings, each addressed to specific individuals such as Tonya Harding, Zachary and Nicholas Cruz (Parkland school shooter and his brother), and even his own great great grandfather Arastas. Read more
In celebration of RAiR’s 50th anniversary, this exhibition invites alumni of the program to share their recent art with the Roswell community. With more than 170 participants submitting new work, this show will occupy most of the Museum’s galleries, emphasizing the grant’s impressive scope. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about RAiR’s many recipients while discovering how their work has continued to evolve since their time with the program. Read more
For fifty years, the Roswell Artist-in-Residency Program has empowered artists by enabling them to focus exclusively on their creative practices. Established in 1967 by oil businessman, philanthropist and artist Donald B. Anderson, the RAiR grant offers its recipients "the gift of time" by providing the housing, studio space, and income that gives artists and personal and financial freedom to concentrate on their own art for a year. Read more
Known for precarious, playful and sometimes dangerous sculptures, British artist Ben Woodeson experiments, developing artworks that tease and challenge. He investigates the physical and psychological qualities of materials through a process of trial and frequent error. Read more
Based in Arizona, photographer David Emitt Adams explores the sense of place through his use of tintype, an early form of photography developed in the 19th century. Rather than use conventional paper, Adams prints his images on cans, scrap metal, and other detritus found in the landscapes he photographs, blurring the distinction between image and object. Read more
This exhibit showcases prints and paintings by innovative Carlsbad artist Roderick Mead (19001-1971), a recent bequest from the Marilyn T. Joyce Trust. Originally from New Jersey, Mead reached his artistic maturity in 1930s Paris while working at avant-garde printmaking workshop Atelier 17. After returning to the United States in 1939, Mead eventually settled with his family in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he continued to produce paintings and prints. RMAC is excited to have this generous bequest from the Marilyn T. Joyce Trust, and is eager to share it with visitors. Read more
Founded in 1891, the New Mexico Military Institute is one of Roswell’s oldest and most significant educational institutions, representing the only state-supported military high school and two-year college in the western United States. NMMI also has its own notable collection of art and historical objects, encompassing works created by both faculty and alumni, prominent southwestern artists such as Laura Gilpin and Kenneth Miller Adams, and international artists. Read more
"I create installations, collages, and sculptures that use the language of maps to explore the connections among geological and biological processes, patterns in nature, geometry and anatomy. Using a variety of distinct styles, I intricately cut, score, wrinkle, fold, paint, and pin maps to produce revised versions that often become more like the terrains they represent." Read more