Recent Work: Robert Ferguson
The DRAW Gallery
24 Iwo Jima Lane, Kingston, NY
Opening November 2nd
5 – 7 pm
MKAD announces the upcoming exhibition Recent Work: Robert Ferguson located at The DRAW Gallery in Energy Square, 24 Iwo Jima Ln, Kingston, NY, with an opening reception on Saturday, November 2nd, from 5-7 pm.
Robert Ferguson’s work is a direct response to nature and the landscape immediately surrounding our home in rural Ulster County, New York. The materials for this group of sculptures have been sourced from nearby woods where he was drawn to the infinite variations in color, markings, and textures of fallen and damaged trees that needed to be removed. His approach is similar to collage in that he gathers hand-sawed pieces of different shapes and textures. He then assemble the works and enhanced the visual play by adding rough pieces of bark and occasionally polishing some of the surfaces.
The drawings in this group are a further exploration of the tactile beauty of those trees. Using a process that makes direct contact with damaged ash trees, he employs rubbings, repetition, and shading to capture wood grain, bark patterns, and internal grooves left by the larvae of Emerald Beetles as they bore through the wood, and unfortunately kill the trees. The resulting images are formed by layering these intricate markings to create texture and dynamic spatial relationships.
While each drawing relates to a specific tree, he exploits compositional elements from multiple drawings to design each painting. He refines the calligraphy of the drawn marks and add color and texture as compositional elements to create the painted image.
These efforts have resulted in a body of work that sits on the cusp of art and the environment. Working with reclaimed wood and damaged trees highlights environmental concerns while giving the source of his inspiration a new expression of beauty.
The DRAW Gallery was created as a part of the Exhibition Program of the Midtown Kingston Arts District. MKAD believes in the power of creative arts to be an agent of change. We serve the people of Midtown Kingston as a hub for collaborative relationships with individuals, artists, businesses, organizations and government to create positive change together.
We hope you join us in supporting a local artist at The DRAW Gallery in Midtown Kingston. Recent Work: Robert Ferguson will be on view, beginning with an opening reception on Saturday, November 2nd, from 5-7 pm, and will close on Saturday, November 30th. Admission is free, and all are welcome to view the artwork. We look forward to seeing you there.
