New Spring Exhibitions Unfurling at DVAA Hanna Washburn & Catherine Chesters
New Spring Exhibitions Unfurling at DVAA
Hanna Washburn & Catherine Chesters
WHAT:
Hanna Washburn, “Tendrils, Limbs, Bellies, and Blooms”
Catherine Chesters, “Beauty in Breakdown”
WHEN:
On View May 4th – June 9th, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 4th, 5–7 PM
Artist Talks: Saturday, May 11th (time to be announced)
WHERE:
DVAA, 37 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY 12764
NOTES:
Free and open to the public
Thursday – Sunday, 11 AM – 4 PM & by appointment
As spring awakens with vibrant colors and newfound life, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is thrilled to present two exhibitions that contemplate the unfurling growth of spring, as well as the delicate balance between beauty and decay in the natural world.
In "Tendrils, Limbs, Bellies, and Blooms," artist Hanna Washburn creates anthropomorphic sculptures of fabric and repurposed objects. "Beauty in Breakdown" by Catherine Chesters creates mixed media compositions exploring themes of decay and regeneration.
The community is invited to a gallery opening on Saturday, May 4th, from 5-7 pm to celebrate these new exhibitions. For those interested in a more in-depth discussion on the work, both Washburn and Chesters will give artist talks on Saturday, May 11th. See the DVAA website for details.
Hanna Washburn | Tendrils, Limbs, Bellies, and Blooms
May 4th - June 9th
Hanna Washburn constructs sculptures from repurposed materials, such as clothing, furniture, and household items, sourced from her own life and those of her friends and family. Sewing by hand and working intuitively, she allows these forms to evolve into complex aggregates of color, pattern, and texture. With a background in traditional sewing passed down through generations, Washburn honors and experiments with her inherited process.
Employing intricate textile techniques like quilting, embroidery, and upholstery, she creates anthropomorphic sculptures that blur boundaries between objects and lifeforms, evoking both familiarity and unease. The resulting sculptures assert their autonomy, despite incorporating materials with previous functions, suggesting growth and change as they extend into space, breaking down hierarchical barriers between humans and their environments. "Tendrils, Limbs, Bellies, and Blooms" reflects the season we find ourselves in: springtime, a moment of change, lengthening, and growth. The works in this exhibition are materially and thematically concerned with cycles of life and care.
Hanna Washburn is an artist and curator based in Beacon, NY, known for her hand-sewn sculptures crafted from recycled textiles and found objects. Her work has garnered attention from publications such as The New York Times, Hyperallergic, Cult Bytes, and the Femme Art Review. Washburn’s pieces have been exhibited at venues including SPRING/BREAK Art Fair, the Dorsky Museum of Art, NADA Art Fair, and the Wassaic Project. She has also held artist residencies at institutions including Haystack Mountain School, Vermont Studio Center, and Monson Arts. Washburn earned her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2018 and her BA from Kenyon College in 2014. She currently works in the Curatorial Department at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, NY.
Catherine Chesters | Beauty in Breakdown
May 4th - June 9th
"Beauty in Breakdown" explores the intricate relationship between beauty and the breakdown of conventional forms. Through her mixed media artworks, Catherine Chesters invites us to contemplate the profound beauty that emerges from fragmentation and disarray.
This is Chesters’ second solo show at DVAA, having previously exhibited in 2019. In this new exhibition, the artist presents new works, including several “revisited” pieces, wrestling with the past, and further exploring ideas of decay and destruction. "Beauty in Breakdown" challenges traditional notions of perfection, encouraging viewers to embrace the inherent imperfections of existence.
Chesters’ creative process is deeply influenced by the natural world, drawing inspiration from the discarded elements found in everyday life, whether natural or unnatural. These elements serve as tangible reminders of the interconnectedness of all things. Much like the mycorrhizal networks that weave through the forest floor, connecting trees in a symbiotic relationship, these discarded fragments reflect the unseen bonds that unite us all.
Catherine Chesters, born in County Durham, England, is a graphic artist based in Narrowsburg, New York. With a background including a BH Honors from the University of the Arts, London, and studies in design communications and graphic design, Catherine’s work is influenced by her upbringing in the North East of England and her two decades of living in New York. Notable achievements include receiving 3 British D&AD Silver Awards, 2 PROMAX BDA Awards, and 2 Art Directors Club Awards. Catherine’s art combines observations of nature with imagination to create escapist imagery, reflecting both rural surroundings and urban influences, characterized by a surreal visual style and a sense of naive optimism. She employs techniques of screen printing and cultural communication to masterfully convey her vision through graphic communication.
ABOUT DVAA
The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance is located at 37 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY.
Walk-ins are welcome.
DVAA's galleries are ADA-accessible.
Gallery and shop hours are Thursdays through Sundays, 11 AM to 4 PM, and by appointment.
For more information, visit DelawareValleyArtsAlliance.org or call (845) 252-7576.
DVAA serves as a home in the Upper Delaware Valley and Sullivan Catskills Region, giving artists platforms to share their voices in our galleries, on our stages, and at our festivals, including Riverfest in July and the Big Eddy Film Festival held every September. DVAA funds Sullivan County creatives and cultural organizations through our role as the county's Arts Council.
SUPPORT
DVAA's programs are made possible thanks in part to the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; the Nancy Stevenson Memorial Fund; the Heartland Embers Fund, our Business Sponsors; DVAA members; and individuals like you.
CONTACT:
Kacy Colson, Communications Manager
communications@delawarevalleyartsalliance.org
(845) 252-7576
