In dialogue
Metamorphosis at the Arts Council of Princeton brings together 4 mid-career artists whose work artist and curator Anna Shukeylo has long admired—and envisioned sharing the same space. Each piece explores transformation or shapeshifting in its own way, reflecting the theme that gives the exhibition its name. Since its initial conception, the show has undergone some changes, with some works so new they haven’t even fully cured. Shukeylo invites the artists to interpret the theme freely and engages them in the selection process, though she makes the final curatorial decisions. I spoke with Shukeylo about her process and how the show has evolved.
YA: I’m intrigued by the title and how this show came into being. How does everyone’s work embody the concept of metamorphosis?
AS: The way I usually develop an idea for a show is with a list of artists whose work I think will look amazing together. It’s a little backwards. Then, I connect the dots on the theme, and it usually comes together very organically. In this case, every artist’s work morphs either physically, thematically, or both. Matt Nolen’s bodily, organic sculptures, which are inspired by a cross of inner landscapes of his own body, Greek and Roman amphoras, and complex and often private metaphors, remind one of mutating organs that are so beautifully rendered it’s hard to look away.
In Mona Brody’s work, on the other hand, the transformations happen on abstract surfaces by using complex combinations of metallics, varnishes, and paint. Her work transforms with both light and movement. Donna Moran also has an abstract approach to her services, but she tends to revisit themes from her prints she has made over her long career. The pieces from this particular body of work are made with oil pastel and heavy use of metallic colors.
Similar to Brody’s work, the paintings shift and shimmer as one walks through the room. Last but not least is Catherine Leclaire’s fabric pieces. She directly works with the theme of metamorphosis in nature, hence the piece Metamorphosis and fish and bird-inspired books. Her massive piece titled Global Language depicts themes of metamorphosis of communication through mathematics, writing, maps, etc.
YA: It seems that everyone in the show is affiliated with Pratt Institute. How did that happen, and was it intentional?
AS: It was actually an interesting coincidence but we do all know each other through Pratt. When I was a grad student in 2014 I was Matt Nolen’s unofficial TA. Donna Moran was one of my mentors. Even though I didn’t meet Mona Brody until later, I’ve admired her work before I applied to Pratt, in fact she was one of the reasons I applied there. I met Catherine LeClaire through Mona and Donna so that completes the circle.
YA: And now, we’ve further cemented the Pratt connection with my interviewing you!
How did you select the works of each artist, and could you speak to the type of work they each create?
AS: In this show, I have three mixed media, mostly two-dimensional artists and one ceramicist. I wanted the show to highlight every artist individually so work had to speak to others, but at the same time stand out individually. I obviously was loyal to the theme however I also was looking for visual consistencies that would make the show flow. Taplin gallery at Arts Council of Princeton has a unique layout with a full wall window in the front. Naturally, Matt Nolen’s large installation piece belonged in front of the window.
Mona Brody’s large paintings almost chose themselves for the show, as they beautifully occupied several walls of the gallery. Almost every piece in the show has a metallic, shiny element, which initially wasn’t planned but ended up helping tie the exhibition together. Catherine leclaire’s pieces are graphic and different, which bring a breath of fresh air among much denser pieces around them.
YA: As the curator, what do you hope that people will come away with from this experience?
AS: I love the magical moments when work of different artists starts to talk to each other. I sincerely hope that the viewers not only enjoy the individual pieces of these fantastic artists but listen in on the various conversations and echoes the pieces have with each other. Walking among these pieces through the gallery is an experience full of “aha” moments, at least for me.
All photos courtesy of the curator and artists
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Metamorphosis at Taplin Gallery, Arts Council of Princeton @rtscouncilofprinceton
Artists: Mona Brody, Catherine Leclaire, Donna Moran, Matt Nolen
Curator: Anna Shukeylo
April 5th- May 3rd