Words and photographs by ABE

Two women, were captivated by a piece of art hanging near the entrance to Ashawagh Hall in East Hampton the other night.

“What does that even mean?” the first woman wondered. Her question seemed out of genuine curiosity, but also with an undertone of angst. 

“I have no idea,” her companion replied. “If you ask me, it’s kind of absurd.”

“The artwork or the title?” her friend said before the pair shuffled off to view the rest of the show.

Another group of patrons came along after the ladies left and were also mesmerized by the artwork. No words were passed between the group of five, until someone read the title aloud. They argued amongst themselves for a while before a young boy of the group said matter of factly: “I like it”

“The Year Everything Changed” was among the best (or maybe least) favorite from the exhibition. An abstract work full of deep reds, it was certainly the most provocative, a piece that attendees stood in front of the longest. 

This past Friday, Ashawagh Hall hosted the opening of the 55th annual Springs Improvement Society Artist Invitational. Local artists were hand picked by curator Haim Mizrahi to make pieces specifically for the show. 

According to Haim, the show was to be all about color: “Color! That’s the theme, if any. I want you to desert thinking about a subject matter, and let the brightness of the colors create the subject itself.” 

The show’s stated goal was to “bring to the forefront a fresh outlook of the artistic energy that is taking place continually in our community by artists who devote their lives to their art.”

The Invitational also included a poetry reading to bring together another medium of art and life, and in doing so, the event more deeply examined the relationship between mediums of art.

Each work of art was created specifically for this show and the curator challenged each of his artists to do something different. For example, one artist who usually does portraits made a beautiful abstract artwork.

The curator gave each of the artists a small square in order to create one large artwork. The instructions were pretty simple, paint, or create what you wish on the canvas. One artist turned his square canvas into a circle,

When we asked why this artist was allowed to stray from the rigid guidelines, the answer was “he thinks it’s a square. He’s actually convinced himself of that. He believes it’s a square, that’s enough.”

His piece can be described as outsider artwork, very abstract, sketchy and in some ways surreal. A deer adored his canvas surrounded by color, flowers and swirls, as he went on in great detail about his interpretation of gods, Christianity and art.

Scott Hewett’s piece was aptly named, ‘Rhythm,’ as the shapes and color seemed to dance off the canvas. His work was busy, yet the confidence in his line making and the arrangement of colors gave the piece a strength many abstract artists only hope to achieve.

One sculptor who has a studio out in Sagaponack, Nathan Slate Joseph, was asked about his inspiriation.

“I’ve been influenced by some of my mentors, so, it kind of evolved, you know? I don’t know if I have inspirations. I get up in the day, and i say let me do this, right? And when it’s finished I’m either inspired or I throw it away.”

Some great artist said, “You can’t wait for inspiration, otherwise you don’t do any work. If you don’t get up inspired, go to sleep!”

When asked how long it takes to make the average piece, he replied, “you know it goes in groups, i don’t just work on one. You start one, you look at it, you come back, what does it need in another piece.”

Hamptonities and lovers of the water and sea found nautical themed pieces in many abstract forms. Two favorites includes “Grab The Fish,” an illuminating oil painting by artist Michael McDowell, and “Tribute to Kote,” an acrylic piece by Bob Sullivan. The latter painting depicts a white boat on calm waters, offset to the right of a shimmering blue canvas.

The Springs Artists Invitational Opening runs until August 7 at Ashawagh Hall 780 Springs Fireplace Rd, East Hampton. Hours are Saturdays 9 AM– 5 PM and Sunday through Friday 1–5 PM.