29/03/2024 5:59 AM

Themonet-ART

Adorn your Feelings

776 pieces flood the space

1 min read

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The artworks — all 776 of them, representing most every genre you can think of— fill nearly every square inch of wall space in the large gallery, from the floor to the very high ceiling, which at least one piece (the Swamp Thing-like “Bog Man” by Cheyanne Hiott) actually hangs from. The work fills the floor, too, with just enough room to walk around and take in the spectacle.

Welcome to the Cameron Art Museum’s “State of the Art/Art of the State” exhibit, which is nothing if not overwhelming, in a good way. The show, which opened at the Wilmington museum April 9 and hangs through Sept. 18, features work from 776 artists who either live in or are native to North Carolina.

The State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit is currently up at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina.    [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

The State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit is currently up at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

Anyone 18 or older who was willing to stand in line with their piece during a 24-hour event at the museum earlier this month — some, I’m told, waited hours — had their work personally accepted, and commented on, by one of three guest curators representing some of the most prestigious museums in America: Alejo Benedetti of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas; Dr. Maia Nuku of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; and Michael Rooks of the High Museum of Art Atlanta.

For many if not most of these artists, this will be their only opportunity to have their work displayed in a museum. Based on a concept by the late art curator Walter Hopps, the artfully arranged exhibition — The CAM has done similar “State of the Art/Art of the State” shows in the past, but this is the first one since the pandemic — is like a snapshot in time that captures most every style of art imaginable.

Artists range from rank amateurs to practiced professionals, including longtime Wilmington painter Elizabeth Darrow, whose oil on pastel “Go Figure” depicts a young girl doing complex math equations on a chalkboard while her teacher stands proudly by.

"Bog Man" by Cheyanne Hiott is one of the pieces featured in the State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina.   [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

“Bog Man” by Cheyanne Hiott is one of the pieces featured in the State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

Some of these pieces might not stand up well on their own. But placed together, they create an effect greater than the sum of their parts, a thunderous and ultimately beautiful statement affirming that all art is valid.

And, if we’re being honest, the quality is actually pretty incredible considering that almost anyone could submit work and have it accepted.

There’s a dazzling quilt by Ann Harwell, “Old Salem,” that has a mosaic-like quality in depicting a rural cemetery. Jen Hill’s mysterious acrylic painting “Between, Behind, Beyond” shows a pensive boy whose face is obscured by — or mixed with? — the jaws of a gator. Duane Abbott’s large sculpture “Psychedelic Winged Victory” is made from thousands of colorful filaments and creates an effect both imposing and delicate.

And these are just the first three that caught my attention. Safe to say it’s a show you could spend a couple of hours in, or visit more than once.

The State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit is currently up at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina.    [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

The State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit is currently up at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

A number of the works are of local interest, including a darling embroidered portrait of longstanding Wilmington diner Jimbo’s by Rita Bonilla Fash; a black and white photograph (“Through the Porthole”) of the Battleship North Carolina by Derek Moose; and a colorful photograph of Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center’s geometric entrance (“Cape Fear Frame”) by Kenneth Karpinkski.

Curiosities abound, like Gail Brouwer’s “stuffed” swordfish plushie “Marina”; a painted pair of roller skates (“Rollin’ Art”) by Belina Griffin; and a giant portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Harvest Ganong made entirely from non-recyclable plastics.

There are dogs and cats, beach scenes, abstracts, multiple decorated guitars and portraits in every style.

There is art that’s conceptual — Stephen Wozniak’s “Chop Wood, Carry Water” is a pile of firewood next to a bucket of water — and functional, like the beautiful, shiny wooden desk (“Alyce Desk”) by Kevin Sisson.

"Rollin' Art" by Belina Griffin is one of the pieces featured in the State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina.   [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

“Rollin’ Art” by Belina Griffin is one of the pieces featured in the State of the Art/Art of the State exhibit at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, N.C, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. It runs through September 13 and includes 776 pieces and focuses on contemporary art by artists currently living in, or native to, the state of North Carolina. [MATT BORN/STARNEWS]

More than one comment on the internet’s infiltration into our lives, like Amber Watts’ large-scale meme grid “ME: ‘ME'” or Timothy Allan Mills’ “Grant Wood on Instagram,” which reimagines “American Gothic” as a post on the ‘Gram.

I could go on, because every one of the pieces has a story to tell, if you’re listening. I’d rather you spent some time with “State of the Art/Art of the State,” because something is bound to speak to you.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or [email protected].

Want to go?

What: State of the Art/Art of the State,” an exhibit featuring work by 776 North Carolina artists.

When: Regular museum hours through Sept. 18.

Where: Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St., Wilmington

Info: There is a $5 surcharge for the show in addition to regular museum admission. Admission is free for ages 18 and under.

Details: CamStateOfTheArt.org

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 776 North Carolina artists work in Cameron Art Museum State of the Art

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