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press release
SANDRA
FILIPPUCCI SOLO EXHIBIT OPENS AT MORRISON GALLERY
IN KENT, CONNECTICUT, ON SEPTEMBER 29th
KENT, CONNECTICUT |
New work by conceptual artist Sandra Filippucci will be exhibited
at The Morrison Gallery
beginning Saturday, September 29th. The solo exhibit comprises
paintings, drawings, sculptures and boxes. The
Filippucci exhibit opens with a reception in the 7,000-square
foot gallery at 8 Old Barn Road near the intersection of Routes
7 and 341 in Kent from 5pm to 7pm. The exhibit runs through October
28th.
Filippucci is well known
to Litchfield County residents as the driving force behind
the ARTdogs of Kent fundraising project
two years ago. After moving from Kent to Santa Fe, New Mexico
last year her palette reflects both the saturated colors of the
Southwest and the stark contrast of the deserts. Her work has
been influenced for a number of years by Joan of Arc, and each
new body of work has focused on different aspects of the warrior
saint as it relates to contemporary life. The artist has also
found another form of expression through bronze sculpture, which
will be shown for the first time in this exhibition. Her 'boxes
of Hope' are also worn by lifesize bronze dogs and reference
Joan's extraordinary relationship with animals.
“Everything Saint Joan said and did in her well recorded
history reflects her commitment to peace,” Filippucci explains. “Her
resolve to attain peace is as relevant now as it was 576 years
ago. Joan was really about hope against impossible odds and was
able to do what she did because others joined her. The boxes
and the symbols of boxes represent hope. Thorns represent the
obstacles we all face and a double abstracted rose is my icon
for personal cooperation. Love, actually. Dogs and sheep wear
boxes of hope not only because these animals were in Joan’s
life but also because they are touching reminders of loyalty
and peace. I don’t wish to be didactic though, the work
has to have its own voice…I just do things that interest
me.”
“Filippucci is one of those rare artists who can express
herself through many mediums,” said gallery owner Billy
Morrison. “She works in wax encaustic, oils, mixed media,
drawing, 3-d computer modeling, found object constructs, her
new plaster boxes and now bronze. Her work is about process;
scarred surfaces that build upon a narrative about peace, perseverance
and love.”
Two and half years ago when she was orchestrating the highly
successful ARTdogs of Kent project, Filippucci created her first
box when an ARTdog artist was unable to participate at the last
moment. Her new work includes plaster boxes, small to life-sized
bronzes, paintings and drawings all making either stated or implied
reference to the inherent difficulties of attaining peace and
all bearing Latin titles.
Filippucci was one of the early pioneers of digital fine art
and was the first artist to have a digital solo at The Museum
of American Illustration in Manhattan. She attended the Paier
School of Art in New Haven and the Maryland Institute of Art
in Baltimore. She has lectured and had solo exhibitions at The
Museum of American Illustration, Colgate University, Syracuse
University, The Maryland Institute, Trinity Institute on Wall
Street and the Owings Dewey Gallery in Santa Fe. Her paintings
hang in numerous private, public and corporate collections.
