Image above: Untiltled (Birds), Boriana Kantcheva
Blog contributor: Adele Barbato
I walked out of the Nave Gallery’s Salon 21 exposition dangerously compelled to buy. Thankfully, I walked in there with an empty wallet, but that really only staved off an inevitable purchase, seeing how the show is running through Mother’s Day, May 12. From Emily Garfield’s pen, ink, and watercolor street map “cityscapes” and Joerg Ingo Fraske’s colorful abstractions, to Boriana Kantcheva’s somehow creepy nature miniatures and Brian Corey’s inky squiggles, something will be gracing my walls before the month’s end.
If you’ve visited the MFA’s newest American Arts wing then you’ve probably browsed their 19th-century Salon gallery, with floor-to-ceiling paintings and sculpture covering as much wall real estate as physically possible. The Nave’s salon isn’t too different. And while the collection of work is vibrant and eclectic (and reasonably priced), the show still manages to foster an atmosphere of contemplation and artistic appreciation, as only a Nave exhibition can provide. Maybe it’s the church next door. Or maybe it’s seeing, spread before me, the amazing array of artistic talent that resides within my hometown. Then again, as with any open-armed community exhibition, the level of artistry and artistic sophistication varies widely throughout Salon 21, but as we all know that is a subjective opinion. Besides, the point of a show like this, and of the Nave Gallery itself, is not so much about the product as it is the process—the process of promoting, supporting, and encouraging participation within (and without) a diverse and prolific community of artists no matter your age, training, or “sophistication.” Hell yeah.
With that being said, Mother’s Day is around the corner—still looking for a gift idea?! I’ve found it’s kind of like eating oreo cookies…one for mom, two for me…
-Adele Barbato
Adele Barbato is a writer who dissects the world of art. Her pieces have been published in several publications, including The Boston Art Underground.
Our vision for this blog is to provide a space for viewers to begin a dialogue about the art at our shows. If you would like to write about a show at either of the Nave galleries, email us.
