“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” -Henry David Thoreau
In fact is this not what we all seek, at base, to know the truth of things? To understand our purpose, our place, the meaning and the answers? Faith has its place, but truth is the surest path to an well-lived life. We find ourselves in an age when truth is somewhat less objective than it once was – and yet this is not possible, it is not something to debate.
Sydney Licht spoke to us recently about her current show, At the Edge of Things, running through October 22 at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts. The works in the show are narrative, still life, figurative without figures in them. Licht has been painting objects from her daily world for some time, seeking to distill them down to the essential yet precise. In this way, she wishes to explore the edge of abstraction and figuration. It is from this that she draws the title of the show. To hear more about this exhibition, her work and more, listen to the complete interview.
Sarah Dwyer joined us to discuss her show, Clatter…THUD, on view until October 15 at Jane Lombard Gallery. Dwyer has often used sounds in the titling of her work and shows. This time, she sought to create drama with the use of the word “clatter” and to invoke a poetically awkward moment with the ending, “THUD.” Dwyer herself worked in poetry and publishing for many years and often used poets to help her title her work. These days, she often listens to poetry in the studio while working. To hear more about Dwyer’s work and more, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket
Truth simply is.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews is here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Praxis users are reading great books! Mark R. Smith recommends Good Ancestor: How to Think Long-Term in a Short-Term World by Roman Krznaric. Holly Crawford read The Anarchivist by Geof Huth.
Deadlines:
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants offer one-time emergency grants of up to $5,000 to artists in financial need who have experienced recent, unexpected medical, dental and mental health emergencies. Eligible recipients must be practicing in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts or choreography. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Deadline is October 28.
Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists, most recently Making it in the Art World.