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Published on September 10, 2019
Students discuss Modisett’s drawings.
A gallery patron admires a sculpture.
Artist Beatrice Modisett explains her work at the “Consistency of the Temporal” opening reception.
The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University hosted New York-based artist Beatrice Modisett on Sept. 5, who spoke on her current exhibition titled “Consistency of the Temporal.” The exhibition runs until Oct.10 and features drawings, paintings and clay sculptures that are inspired by Modisett’s interest in landscapes and environment.
After leaving her office job to pursue art, Modisett spent a month driving to California, visiting national parks along the way. She was struck by the land formations and intrigued by the earthly forces that configured the environment. Modisett felt a deep connection to the national parks and how their vastness made her feel small. She also mentioned how the environment is manipulated by wind, water and erosion: “… the forces are shaping it. Erosion leads to creation.”
Growing up in New England, Modisett has a deep connection to Eastern, as her grandparents were students in 1938 and lived on a farm 10 minutes from the university. She used wood from the farm as fuel to fire the ceramics that are on display in “Consistency of the Temporal.” Among the pieces is an arched clay sculpture inspired by Arches National Park in Utah, as well as the arches of Brescia, Italy, a city that was built upon its own ruins. In her drawings, she used ash from the burnt clay to add shades of gray.
Speaking to the exhibition at Eastern and her future plans, Modisett said, “This show has launched more ideas. It’s such a gift when that happens, when you can work and it expands things for you.”
“Consistency of the Temporal” is on display until Oct.10 in the Art Gallery of the Fine Arts Instructional Center. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 1-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Art Gallery at 860-465-4659 or visit the website at http://www.easternct.edu/artgallery/.
Written by Bobbi Brown