1 Photo
Eric Dever's “October 10th” is currently on display in the embassy residence of Ambassador Douglas Thomas Hickey in Helsinki, Finland. COURTESY THE ARTIST
As part of the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies program, paintings by East End artist Eric Dever are on view in the embassy residence of Ambassador Douglas Thomas Hickey in Helsinki, Finland. Curated by Camille Benton, the exhibition also includes work by Roy Lichtenstein, Gifford Beal, Jessica Snow, Mary Heebner and Pamela DeTuncq.
The Helsinki exhibition features Dever’s mural scaled, oil on canvas diptych, titled “October 10th” (2016), on loan through 2024. Dever’s self-identification with nature is echoed in his sampling of colorful morning glory blossoms which form the scaffolding of this painting. The blossoms were found within a 3.6 mile radius of Dever’s Water Mill studio garden and echo the distance and collection of pollen by bees whose hives are tended by beekeeper Francis Schiavoni. Dever’s oeuvre embraces both materiality, craftsmanship and a history of shared growth between the artist, his garden and painting.
These paintings are part of a larger body of work, paintings first exhibited by Berry Campbell, New York. Additional Dever paintings are part of notable public collections including the Parrish Art Museum, Grey Gallery/New York University Art Collection, Guild Hall Museum and the Heckscher Museum.
Staff Writer on Feb 19, 2024