Let's Talk Art: Abstract Artist Nanette Carter - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1775638

Let's Talk Art: Abstract Artist Nanette Carter

icon 21 Photos
Mary Abbott (American, 1921–2019)

Mary Abbott (American, 1921–2019) "Imrie," 1953. Oil on canvas, 71" x 74." Collection Thomas McCormick and Jane Kanter, Chicago.

Marina Adams (American, born
1960)

Marina Adams (American, born 1960) "Left Hand of the Dreamer," 2020. 98" x 78." Courtesy of the artist and Salon 94. New York.

Curator Alicia G. Longwell with artist Nanette Carter at the opening of

Curator Alicia G. Longwell with artist Nanette Carter at the opening of "Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," at the Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

Elaine de Kooning (American, 1920–1989)

Elaine de Kooning (American, 1920–1989) "Sun Wall," 1986–1987. Oil on canvas, 98" x 132". Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill, N.Y., Gift of Domna Stanton.

Artist Nanette Carter at the opening of

Artist Nanette Carter at the opening of "Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," at the Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum.JENNY GORMAN JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

"Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," installation view, Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

Betty Parsons (American, 1900-1982),

Betty Parsons (American, 1900-1982), "It Was That Way," 1971. Acrylic on wood. Courtesy Berry Campbell, New York.

Artist Virva Hinnemo at the opening of

Artist Virva Hinnemo at the opening of "Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," at the Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

Artist Virva Hinnemo at the opening of

Artist Virva Hinnemo at the opening of "Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on the East End, 1950–2020," at the Parrish Art Museum. JENNY GORMAN

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio. COURTESY THE ARTIST

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio. COURTESY THE ARTIST

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio. COURTESY THE ARTIST

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio. COURTESY THE ARTIST

Sue Williams (American, born 1954)

Sue Williams (American, born 1954) "Irritated Weave," 2001. Oil and acrylic on canvas, 82" x 132." © 2021 the artist Sue Williams. Courtesy 303 Gallery, New York.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio.

Virva Hinnemo working in her Springs studio. COURTESY THE ARTIST

authorAnnette Hinkle on May 5, 2021

Nanette Carter is one of the artists whose work is on view in the Parrish Art Museum exhibition “Affinities for Abstraction: Women Artists on Eastern Long Island, 1950-2020.”

Q: As a female Abstract painter, did you face hurdles regarding acceptance and respect in what was initially a very male-dominated field?

All African American artists who work in the Abstract vein have had difficulties. I have triple jeopardy — I’m an Abstract artist, a woman and I’m Black. It’s so exciting, in this show I’m hanging between Dorthea Rockburne and Mary Abbot and right across from Joan Mitchell, who I’ve been looking at since I was in college. I’m 67, so that was long time ago.

Q: Your parents had a home in Sag Harbor Hills beginning in the early 1970s. How did coming to this area influence your artistic growth?

I grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, but I think being around the galleries and seeing these artists working in the Abstract vein. I was working with Abstraction when i was very young. My first studio was in my bedroom and I would collage these papers together. Being in the Hamptons and knowing I wanted to be in the arts, I went to the Parrish Art Museum. I love Fairfield Porter’s work. I’d also go to Guild Hall and see lots of Pollocks and de Koonings — male artists are celebrated all the time. I got a job in the Guild Hall ticket booth in college, so I’d go to the openings and was always the only Black person in the room. At one opening I went to, I saw this tall Black man and went up to talk to him. It was [artist] Al Loving. He had rented a space in a theater in Southampton and was doing a performance piece, and invited me to come and meet many other people.

Not only did I work at Guild Hall that summer, when I finished at Pratt, Guild Hall hired me to teach a monotype class for adults. It was all painters who wanted to learn the different technique and I made so many great friends and then I did a show at Guild Hall — the Eastville Artists, a group of African American artists — and Al Loving curated the show. Then Hans Namuth was asked to curate a Parrish anniversary show and I had a fairly large painting in that.

Q: What other artists on the East End had an influence on you?

My mentor from Sag Harbor was Frank Wimberley. Frank lived down the street from my parents and Al Loving fell in love with Sag Harbor when I brought him to the Black community on the bay. They were wonderful, gracious people. Not all artists are giving of their time and their works.

Q: Did Montclair also provide inspiration and support for you?

Montclair schools were very advanced. They had a dark room, potters wheels, kilns, oil paints. I did linoleum cuts in elementary school and we had a small table top press. The teachers were incredible, we would go to the Guggenheim and the Met and hear artists speak. Being in Montclair and Sag Harbor, the two communities did influence the work.

Q: What element of the East End inspires your work?

For me, it was the landscape. I was a block away from the bay, I rolled out of bed and down the street and there I was. You can see how I took from nature to talk about different ideas. A lot of my work also speaks of social issues of the time. “Cantilevered,” my recent works which are a bit more architectural for me, talks about balancing information with what’s going on in social media and seeing things as they happen. It’s so much. As someone born in the ’50s we moved at a slower pace. I’m working seven days a week now. But I’ve been teaching at Pratt for 20 years, and I’m retiring. I’ve really enjoyed the students, they keep me alive and abreast of trends, but I’m ready to get back full-time in the studio.

Q: Now that you’re finishing up your teaching career, what are your next plans?

I love to travel, and I have a five-week residency in Siena, Italy, on June 1. I got both my vaccines and I’m hoping to do some other residencies like Yaddo and MacDowell. Being retired will open up a lot more time to travel.

You May Also Like:

Leigh Bardugo Comes to Sag Harbor Books for Book Signing, Meet and Greet

Growing up, best-selling author Leigh Bardugo always knew she wanted to be a writer, but ... 11 Jul 2025 by Hope Hamilton

Springs Artist Fitzhugh Karol Debuts Outdoor Sculpture Show at Duck Creek

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present “Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds,” a site-specific ... 8 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

La Goulue Sur Mer Arrives in Southampton, With a Dash of Chaos and a Side of Style

“Is it true?” said the anxious DM on my Instagram account. “Is La Goulue really ... by Steven Stolman

Art on a Line: Guild Hall’s Clothesline Sale Hangs Tough for 2025

Guild Hall’s beloved Clothesline Art Sale returns on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event, a Hamptons tradition since 1946, transforms the museum’s lawn into a sea of original artwork — hung on clotheslines — and offers visitors the chance to purchase local art at accessible prices. Jackson Pollock once sold a painting at the sale for $250, and past participants have included Lee Krasner, Alfonso Ossorio, Elaine and Willem de Kooning and other art-world icons. The event continues to offer a rare opportunity for the public to view and purchase work by East End ... by Staff Writer

The Climate-Friendly Fitness Routine

“Live simply so that others might simply live” — Mahatma Gandhi The first time I ... by Jenny Noble

Joy Behar Gets the Last Laugh in ‘My First Ex-Husband' at Bay Street Theater, July 14-19

Emmy Award-winning comedian and co-host of “The View,” Joy Behar stars in “My First Ex-Husband,” a bold, funny and heartfelt new play based on true stories from her life. The limited engagement runs July 14 through 19, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. With razor-sharp wit and no filters, “My First Ex-Husband” explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex and relationships. Adapted from Behar’s personal experiences, the show is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Behar will appear on stage on July 14, 18 and 19. Also appearing nightly, July 14 through 19, are Veanne Cox, a Tony-nominated ... by Staff Writer

Experience the Rhythms of Brazil With Nilson Matta’s Voyage Quartet

Grammy-nominated bassist Nilson Matta will lead his Brazilian Voyage Quartet at The Church on Friday, July 25, at 6 p.m. The concert is part of Hamptons JazzFest. The group features acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro and offers a rich exploration of samba, bossa nova and modern Brazilian jazz. Matta, a founding member of the renowned Trio da Paz and longtime collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma on the Grammy-winning “Obrigado Brazil” project, is known for blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz. His lyrical bass playing and deep rhythmic connection have earned him international acclaim. Guitarist Chico Pinheiro, recognized as a leading voice ... by Staff Writer

At the Galleries for July 10, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, at the Montauk railroad station at the corner of Flamingo ... by Staff Writer

Round and About for July 10, 2025

Fireworks Shelter Island Fireworks The Shelter Island fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 12, ... by Staff Writer

Curtis Institute of Music Alumni and Faculty To Perform in East Hampton on July 22

Talented alumni and faculty from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music will tour the East Coast this summer, with a concert scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. The event is presented by Music for Montauk. The program features beloved melodies ranging from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” to works by Brahms and de Falla. Performers include mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, pianist Hanchien Lee, and Curtis Institute President and violist Roberto Díaz. The concert program includes: Manuel de Falla’s “Suite Populaire Espagnole,” performed by Díaz (viola) and Lee (piano); ... by Staff Writer