The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of
Art
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
610-409-3500
http://www.ursinus.edu/berman/
Remnants: Ancient Forests
and City Streets
The Philip and Muriel
Berman Museum of Art will highlight "Remnants: Ancient Forests and
City Streets," showcasing the work of Prilla Smith Brackett, from May
2 to July 23, 2000, An Opening Reception in honor of the artist is scheduled
for Thursday, May 4, from 6- 8 p.m.
As a painter, Prilla Smith Brackett is concerned with the
environment, drawing imagery inspired by the forests and landscapes of northern
New England. Like Chester County artist 
Peter Sculthorpe, Brackett searches for deeper meanings
in her compositions. Underlying the aesthetic qualities of her artwork is
an educational purpose: to encourage people to reflect on their relationship
with the natural world, and the issues we face as this natural world is
slowly destroyed. "I present barriers and fractured images," says
Brackett. "These images serve as metaphors for our abuse of the environment
and for our lives so removed from the natural world." (left:
Remnants: Old Growth in the White Mountains #2, ©1995, graphite,
conte, charcoal on paper, 22 1/2 x 29 3/4 inches)
"Remnants" consists of four related series: "Old
Growth in the White Mountains" (1995), "Big 
Reed Reserve" (1996-98), "Communion"
(1997-98) and "Silent Striving" (1998). The installation features
drawings, paintings and mixed media works, composed by Brackett using fragmentation,
creating a sense of dislocation that signals our alienation from the natural
world. (right: Remnants: Big Reed Reserve #7, ©1997-1998,
acrylic on collaged paper and oil on canvas, 42 x 120 inches)
In her catalogue essay, art historian Ann H. Murray, explores
the imagery and the complexity of the artist's composition structure. She
notes that artists have become increasingly involved with affecting environmental
change through their art in collaboration with scientists, engineers, conservationists
and public works departments.
Brackett's compositions encourage viewers to question their
relationship to a natural world facing extinction due to the irresponsible
use of its resources.
"This exhibition shows work done over a three year
span, from photos I took hiking to pockets 
of old growth forest in New Hampshire and Maine. Underlying
my picture-making concerns is the mystery and feeling of the forests which
initially inspired me. I am moved by the spiritual energy and sensual power
of trees," says Prilla Smith Brackett. (right: Remnants:
Communion #13, ©1988, oil on collaged canvas and canvas, 42 x 120
inches in two panels)
An illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition with
essays by Ann H. Murray, professor of art history and director of the Watson
Gallery at Wheaten College, and Gene E. Likens, ecologist and director of
the Institute of Ecosystem Sites in Millbrook, NY.
Editor's note: Resource
Library readers may also enjoy recent photographic
images of the White Mountains.
Read more about the Berman Museum
of Art in Resource
Library.
Please click on thumbnail images bordered by a red line
to see enlargements.
rev. 5/7/00, 1/29/11, 11/7/13
Search Resource
Library for thousands of articles and essays on American art.
Copyright 2011-2013 Traditional Fine Arts Organization, Inc., an Arizona nonprofit corporation. All rights
reserved.
Peter Sculthorpe, Brackett searches for deeper meanings
in her compositions. Underlying the aesthetic qualities of her artwork is
an educational purpose: to encourage people to reflect on their relationship
with the natural world, and the issues we face as this natural world is
slowly destroyed. "I present barriers and fractured images," says
Brackett. "These images serve as metaphors for our abuse of the environment
and for our lives so removed from the natural world." (left:
Remnants: Old Growth in the White Mountains #2, ©1995, graphite,
conte, charcoal on paper, 22 1/2 x 29 3/4 inches)
