In and Out of Lineage: Tracing Artistic Heritage Through SUNY New Paltz Faculty 

Eva Zanardi, the guest curator of the group show—In and Out of Lineage: Tracing Artistic Heritage Through SUNY New Paltz Faculty—observes that many times in her life, art has raised her awareness and consequently even made her reconsider her point of view on important issues. Zanardi says that the prerogative that should belong to most art is to be thought-provoking; as the educator and activist Cezar A. Cruz says, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Eva Zanardi shared some of her curatorial process and gave us here a brief guide through the show.

What can you tell us about the process of coming up with the idea and theme for In and Out of Lineage?

I have always loved the English expression “being out of line” and its intrinsic iconoclastic quality. The tongue-in-cheek title In and Out Of Lineage was born out of connecting the phrase “being out of line” with the visual idea of the “line” and the notion of lineage. Furthermore, the exhibition examines the link between artistic expression and inherited traditions, whether that pedagogical lineage has been preserved or transcended. Heritage can bifurcate in two directions: it can adhere to a linear trajectory in a sequential, straightforward progression, or manifest through a rhizomatic, complex, non-hierarchical network of connections that defies simplistic categorizations. This fluctuation, “in and out,” is also expressed through the title.

Since In and Out of Lineage is an exhibition that celebrates artists who are also art educators, I decided that the theme of artistic lineage would be an apt one since all the artists in the show are part of the SUNY New Paltz Art faculty. The act of transferring knowledge from one individual to another, with the artist/educator acting as a conduit between past creators and future creators, constitutes artistic lineage, in my view.

Can you guide us briefly through the show? What will we see?

In and Out of Lineage showcases a selection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, performance art, video art, works on paper, ceramics, prints, and fiber art. My task was to assemble and curate a coherent exhibition featuring twenty brilliant artists and educators from the SUNY New Paltz Art faculty. This process was both challenging and extremely rewarding because, for the first time in my career, I did not select the artists whose work I would showcase. The most enjoyable part of shaping the exhibition was meeting and getting to know each of the artists in person, understanding their practices and processes, and inviting them to push their boundaries as artists. I encouraged them to create works that consider the theme of lineage and the connection between inspiration and creation.

To explore the theme of lineage, I asked each artist in the exhibition to provide the names of the creators who inspired them. This approach allowed me to observe both the linear and rhizomatic heritage in their work, as well as their relationship with the concept of being an educator. Each piece in the exhibition features two labels: the tombstone label (the artist’s name, title, date, medium, etc.) and an extended label. The extended label includes the artist’s statements regarding lineage and pedagogy. I wanted the exhibition to be interactive: the viewer reads the extensive label and, like a detective, looks for clues and discovers echoes of the creators referenced in the label who inspired the works on view.

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Can you shed more light on the theme of lineage and how it applies to artists who are also educators?

In and Out Of Lineage is an invitation to explore the intricate web of artistic pedagogy and legacy building. The exhibition delves into a detailed examination of the symbiotic relationship that intertwines creating, teaching, and mentoring by inviting contemplation of educators’ influential role in sculpting future generations of artists while simultaneously being shaped by their interactions with students. It is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of those who create, teach, and inspire.

What are your thoughts on educators as shapers of minds?

When artists step into the role of educators, they engage in another form of creation—shaping the minds and perspectives of their students. This educational process involves knowledge transmission, where educators impart technical skills, historical context, and theoretical frameworks essential for understanding and creating art. It requires mentorship and guidance, where educators provide feedback, encouragement, and direction to help students develop their artistic voices. Finally, the process generates inspiration and motivation, as teachers inspire students to explore their creativity, think critically, and pursue their artistic passions with dedication and confidence.

You mentioned that artists who are also educators are “creators twice.” How do you see this dual role in both the artistic and educational realms, and how do you reflect it in the show?

The intersection of these two roles—artist and educator—creates a unique synergy. Artists who teach are not only creating art but also fostering the creative potential of others. In essence, artists who are also educators embody a dual creative force, so they are “creators twice.” In addition to bringing new artistic visions to life, they cultivate the creative capacities of their students, ensuring that the cycle of creation continues and evolves. This dual role enriches both their own practice and the broader artistic landscape, making them creators in the most accurate and most expansive sense.

Why is curation an important skill, job, art, and way of life?

Curation is about sharing. It involves going through vast amounts of data and selecting with your heart what you feel would inspire and bring joy to others.

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In and Out of Lineage: Tracing Artistic Heritage Through SUNY New Paltz Faculty 
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz 
Through December 8, 2024 

Featured artists: Thomas Albrecht, Robin Arnold, Michael Asbill, Lynn Batchelder, Chad Bridgewater, Bryan Czibesz, Andrea Frank, Matthew Friday, Kathy Goodell, Andrea Kantrowitz, Woojin Lee, Rena Leinberger, Kelly McGrath, Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Emily Puthoff, Nadia Sablin, Aurora De Armendi Sobrino, Suzanne Stokes, Amelia Toelke, and Lilly Zuckerman

All images: Installation view of In and Out of Lineage: Tracing Artistic Heritage Through SUNY New Paltz Faculty, installation view, courtesy of The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz. Photo courtesy of Eva Zanardi

Guest curator Eva Zanardi is a freelance writer, independent curator, and owner of Visitor Center, a contemporary art gallery located in Newburgh, NY. Her writing has been featured in various publications, including Flash Art, White-Hot Magazine, Widewalls, and Art & Object Magazine, among other international print and online media. Prior to relocating to Upstate NY, Eva founded and directed GR Gallery, which was known for its cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions in New York City. Additionally, she serves as the President and Senior Advisor of EZartconsultingnyc, a private art consultancy that specializes in modern and contemporary art.