04/11/2020
Narrative/Abstraction/Iteration
The Bascom: A Center For The Visual Arts
Highlands, NC
April 4 - August 2, 2020
Narrative is storytelling. Works of art present us with ideas to contemplate; they engage us in stories, literally or obliquely.
Abstraction is breaking down the complexity of our existence into manageable parts, selectively isolating a gesture or idea, searching for the essence of something. To abstract is to summarize, to seek clarity in summation.
Iteration refers to a process of repetition. It involves taking a series of actions that generate feedback, each successive action influenced by the feedback received. It is the experience of making something, then processing feedback that influences the next making. Iteration forms patterns in time through repetition.
"Thinking about narrative, abstraction and iteration became my way of selecting artists for this exhibition. I chose 19 women from the Penland community to recognize the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment and to call attention to the many powerful, supportive, and creative women that surround Penland School of Craft. I also chose artists who work in the varied media taught at Penland. In the handout, you can read how these artists
have reflected on the 19th amendment and the freedoms they observe, as well as catch a glimpse of the different ways one can be in relationship with—and inspired by Penland School of Craft."
-Jean W. McLaughlin
Curator
