In Conversation

In Conversation, an exhibit featuring artists’ work as well as photos of their studios, opened in May 20 at the Shirley Fiterman Art Center at Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY.

The show will run through August 1. A related panel discussion is scheduled for June 10.

Artists featured in the exhibit include Polly Apfelbaum, Kathy Butterly, Hermine Ford, Tara Geer, Laura J. Gerlach, Jacqueline Gourevitch, Michelle Jaffé, Joyce Kozloff, Kathleen Kucka, Melissa Meyer, Luisa Rabbia, Jennifer Riley and Leslie Wayne.

The installation was guest-curated by Stephanie Buhmann; photographs of the artists’ studios are by Laura J. Gerlach.

The impetus for the exhibit took place between January 2013 and March 2015 as Buhmann interviewed 14 New York-based artists.

Frustration with the media’s focus on art as investment only, fueled Buhmann’s commitment to the project, she says, adding “The exhibit invites the audience to the place where art is the most intimate and concrete: the artist’s studio.”

Buhmann’s interviews, which will be compiled in a forthcoming publication, stress concepts of individuality and diversity. They refer to technical aspects, such as the artists’ processes, but also discuss personal history and the artists’ eclectic sources of inspiration.

“In our fast-paced world, we often only glance at who and what is around us, making quick assessments based on our tastes and experiences,” says Buhmann.

“However, I believe that looking at art, which requires true personal engagement, should continue to defy this trend. Each conversation reveals just how much thought, emotion and resilience goes into making a work of art.”

A portion of all sales from the exhibit will support the BMCC Foundation scholarship fund.

For information about the exhibit, contact Kathleen Kucka, kkucka@bmcc.cuny.edu.

 

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) and enrolls over 26,000 degree-seeking and 11,000 continuing education students a year, awarding associate degrees in 33 fields. BMCC ranks #4 among community colleges nationwide in granting associate degrees to minority students, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education.