WE:
Within Environment,
Environment Within
An exhibition of works by artists Theresa Antonellis and Barbara Westman
September 21–November 1, 2024
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Exhibition Space
100 43rd St. Unit 107
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Opening Reception Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
The opening reception for WE is part of the Allegheny Regional Asset District's 2024 RAD Days celebration. RAD Days is an annual ‘thank you’ to taxpayers, offering a chance to see the best of Allegheny County's top cultural destinations free of charge. Learn more at https://www.radworkshere.org/events/opening-reception-for-we-within-environment-environment-within.
WE are two artists, observing the environment, places that often go unseen and unnoticed, yet have strong potential in process. One: The external environment, quiet forgotten landscapes, rusting places, naturally processing itself. Two: The internal environment, its rhythms, breaths and beats. Seeing the breath, recording a breath generated mark, unseen becomes seen.
WE pose a question, with observation, does a thing change or does the observer change?
WE are two artists, working separately yet the processes and products appear united in spaciousness, and in room for contemplation.
–Theresa Antonellis and Barbara Westman
Since I moved to the U.S. in 2002, the post-industrial landscape of Pennsylvania has always been interesting to me. The images of abandoned structures, steel mills, machinery, pipes, railways and power lines never escape my attention. These monuments of the past remind us about the once existing industrial dominance, but now abandoned, nature gradually takes over. Human alteration of natural landscapes generates interesting forms and linear division of land and sky. These endless power lines, pipes and unusual buildings create a unique visual composition.
I see direct connection in continues lines of industrial cables, cords and wires to the stitching of a thread on cloth, sewing, making or mending clothes. For me, this mundane task of sewing represents women’s work. Lines of stitching done by woman's hand finds its analogy in the industrial landscape built by men.
I was interested in documenting this experience in my artwork, before it is altered again.
The Rust Belt series began a few years ago and grew from many photographs I took during my road trips. The printing process of pronto plate lithography on semi-transparent interfacing allowed me to merge printmaking and fiber art in a way that the images seem to "float" and are connected by the threads of handstitched power lines, wires and cords. The actual movement of the hanging artwork emphasizes the lightness of the fabric and perhaps suggests the movement of a cloth hanging on a line.
Barbara Westman
www.barbarawestman.com
The series One Breath One Line originated in 2013, with the intention of merging lifelong artist’s practice with yoga and breathwork practice. The emergence of One Breath, One Line is closely aligned with observing my own breath, and also witnessing the breath of others and the power of the breath in different emotional states.
These drawings and paintings are produced in coordination with my breathing. Each mark, whether a miniscule scrawl of the ballpoint pen or the broad bold ribbon of ink, is a physical expression, is propelled by the exhalation. Every space between the mark represents the inhalation. Just as in the body, inhalation and exhalation are continually adjusting responding, so too the mark-making. The mark maker’s gesture is a key ingredient. In the application of ink there lies hidden limitation of the body. Range of motion is encoded in each mark. The permanence of ink represents a challenge, a risk.
Every year I continue to add to the series. Experiences in nature and immersion in studio are an absolute requirement for continued work. Inspiration arises from artist retreats and retreats to nature. Lucid Art Foundation and Virginia Center for Creative Arts were formative and supportive in re-commitment to my practice. I enjoy visits to the Massachusetts coastline areas on Cape Cod.
Each drawing and each painting are transcriptions of time, of presence lived, of breath observed.
Theresa Antonellis
www.theresaantonellis.com
