Artistic Pairings for Valentine's Day

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Keyes Art in Sag Harbor will host “Two,” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by three artist couples whose years together collectively exceed a lifetime. The show opens with a reception on Saturday, February 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the show features work by artist couples Dr. Leslee Stradford and Claude Lawrence, Jodi Panas and John Torreano, and Virva Hinnemo and George Negroponte.

“Two artists in the same house make for a lot of regression. To some, it may look predictably poetic, like two fried eggs,” writes artist George Negroponte, husband of Virva Hinnemo. “In reality, it’s more of a skirmish than you might imagine because energy moves unevenly through the veils of creativity. A room of two can get crowded when the audience constantly stands by. But the dividends can be substantial.

“Good days are measured in moments: a glimpse into a world where nothing matters more than to see something for what it is. A helping hand and eye can lovingly clear the way. Long Island is the land of equal footing, and exhibiting with one’s spouse could become mandatory” he continues. “Two making one rings true for us because it’s an altogether different approach to expansion. In this equation, lyricism gets reshuffled. The intimate ambiance of the marriage bed diffuses the boundaries of the studio wall. And every day becomes work rooted in the spirit of teamwork. It’s the most sublime test of temperament because it takes two hearts.”

Keyes Art is at 45 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, visit juliekeyesart.com.