Until October 28, The Hunter Museum of Art’s Hunter Invitational will showcase the work of three UTC art faculty. Dan Bethune, Ron Buffington and Mark Bradley-Shoup are among the regional artists whose work is included in this exhibition.
“The Invitational is designed to showcase some of the most noteworthy artwork being made in our region—work that I feel is as significant as that being made in major art enters, such as New York or Los Angeles,” said Nandini Makrandi, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Hunter. The artists have been working for a number of years in their chosen mediums and have shown not only a command over their materials, but continue to challenge themselves while maintaining a consistency in vision and theme.”
Bethune has been teaching sculpture at the University since 2002. Using simplified spherical shapes made of cast resin, Bethune explores two threads in his works: one is his interest in the development of male to male relationships (brother, son, father, friend); the other is the role that oral tradition plays in contemporary society in imparting a moral message to young men.
Buffington’s richly layered abstractions are inspired by Renaissance murals, mathematical triangulations and architecture. He is also interested in exploring the physical materiality of paint and how it can be used to both reveal and conceal objects and ideas.
Bradley-Shoup’s work takes a close look at human consumption through mundane, everyday structures such as vacant lots, dumpsters and abandoned buildings.
“Although these artists are exploring intensely personal beliefs, they have found a way to make their ideas and concerns relevant to all of us, a true mark of good contemporary art,” said Makrandi.
The Hunter is located at 10 Bluff View. It is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday. Call 267-0968 for more information.
