Azure Arts Presents:
Untethered: An Experience of Free Association
Curated by Elizabeth Chatham and Keanu Wong
26 Cedar Street, East Hampton, New York
August 25-27, 2023
In collaboration with Azure Arts and Young Developments, "Untethered: An Experience of Free Association" unveils an exquisite ensemble of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and design masterpieces by New York's avant-garde artists, including Amanda Wall, Angel Cotray, Gina Kropf, jdx, Ken Van Sickle, Forma Rosa Studio, and Jonathan Schafer. This collection also showcases a curated selection of Picasso lithographs sure to captivate art enthusiasts.
Drawing inspiration from Andre Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism (1924), the exhibit navigates the thin line between vulnerability and enlightenment, echoing sentiments that challenge the very essence of existence and artistry.
The work in this exhibition provides modern explorations of the profundity and multiplicities of human consciousness. In “the absence of any known restrictions,” Breton wrote, the artist has “the perspective of several lives lived at once; this illusion becomes firmly rooted within him; now he is only interested in the fleeting, the extreme facility of everything.”
Amanda Wall encapsulates spiritual fragility through aura portraits, weaving tales of English pioneers and Cherokee Native American ancestry, emphasizing the duality of the American spirit.
Angel Cotray, an accomplished New Yorker, merges rich art history with modern narratives, sculpting stories of self-discovery amidst isolation, with a therapeutic underpin.
Gina Lumsden Kropf channels a cathartic journey, with each brushstroke revealing a battle with past traumas and societal perceptions, ultimately translating mental tumult into canvas masterpieces.
jdx delves deep into the urban heartbeats, capturing the intricate dance of identity in the metropolis. His evocative snapshots have graced international galleries, including Tokyo's renowned "Outsider" exhibit.
Ken Van Sickle offers time's portal, transporting audiences to yesteryears of Paris, New York’s Beat era, and the famed Warhol Factory. His distinctive techniques blur timelines, melding classic imagery with avant-garde perspectives.
Forma Rosa Studio seamlessly blends the technological and handcrafted, crafting pieces that resonate with Brooklyn's contemporary ethos and Peru’s artisanal heartbeat.
Jonathan Schlafer, an Amagansett sculptor, transforms East End Long Island landscapes into striking art using reclaimed wood, concrete, and steel. His diverse works range from small to XL totems to furniture, all intricately finished with oils, bleaching, or the Japanese Sho Shugi Ban technique.
Join us for a transformative exploration of art, history, and identity, brought to you by Azure Arts at the architectural design wonder of 26 Cedar Farm.
