🩷 ART SHOW 🏡
Join us this Thursday for the opening of 'the House support itself' in Brunswick, Maine
the House support itself
Opening this Thursday, January 11th, from 5:00 - 8:00p
Lights Out Gallery presents the House support itself, a group exhibition of 11 artist couples living in the state of Maine. This show shines a light on the invisible forces that hold these pairs together, shaping both their personal and creative lives.
In the poem “the Props assist the House,” poet Emily Dickinson writes about the true staying power of a carefully constructed house, suggesting that the structural integrity of a finished home can be traced back to the scaffolding erected at the outset. Similarly, it is the unseen labor and support systems of these artist relationships that provide shape and strength to their creative households. Inevitably these dynamics leave imprints upon the art they make. In showing their work in close conversation with that of their partners, we hope to catch glimpses of the contours and complexities of the worlds they’re creating together.
There’s an undeniable bravery to their choice of putting all their eggs in one, risky art basket. The art market is notoriously fickle, and success can be fleeting. Attaining financial stability might force tough questions like: who gets to take creative risks and who has to be the bread-winner? All while navigating an emotional tightrope of simultaneously raising each other up while also pursuing their own individual growth and distinction. Though the challenges may be many, in their view it’s the upsides that are the glue. There’s a distinct advantage to finding a life partner that’s also your muse, art crush, trusted critic, challenger, collaborator. Perhaps most importantly, each understands the deeply personal experience of the artist’s journey, which helps them transcend their struggles and find safety and care in a life built together.
– Ian Trask
In a former Norway snowshoe factory, an arts hub is taking shape
“NORWAY – Downstairs, three volunteers were installing insulation. In a future gallery, two more were helping Pamela Moulton paint a sculpture made out of discarded fishing gear. In an office, Anne Stuer was cataloging video interviews of Maine artists while Daniel Sipe and Reed McLean worked on fundraising postcards. Upstairs, two people were getting ready to install speakers in a soon-to-be dance studio. Later, Georgia Ryan would heat a big pot of turkey mole for a shared lunch…”
– Megan Gray, Portland Press Herald