Objects of Affection Opens

Last week, PWP’s latest exhibit Objects of Affection opened with great success.  We had an excellent turnout, and the crowd truly seemed to enjoy the warmth and spirit of the exhibition.  Artist Carson Ferri-Grant offers his review of the show on Newsblaze.com:

Summertime in the City

By painter, Carson Ferri-Grant

I just received a warm summer group hug as my first impression of this wonderful exhibition of photographs Objects of Affection by the members of Professional Women Photographers at the Calumet Photo Gallery, 22 West 22 St, 2nd floor, NYC July 28th through August 13th, 2010.

Well-worth a visit to experience the joy of dancing colors and imagery, humor mixed with passion, form blended with lit shadows, these artists’ journey the viewer through a maze of emotions. I was reminded of Matisse’s dancing bathers as I circled the gallery always feeling held comfortable and eagerly being pulled forward within the rhythm of life.

Yes, a splash of red on mossy green and a box head humor kept this painter affixed and giggling while absorbing these captured moments of time, but to single out any particular artist’s work would break a link in this universal chain created by this gathering of creators. To quote from my sixties upbringing, “this show is a happening€ and a must to be seen.

Behind the scenes

The morning before the Objects of Affection opening, the walls of the Calumet Gallery were bare, and the Objects of Affection committee was faced with the challenge of curating and hanging the 79 photographs from 51 PWP members.  Our goal was to have an exhibit that felt cohesive, a challenge for any group show involving so many varied viewpoints.  When arranging the exhibit, we asked ourselves, “which images talked to each other, which images conflicted?”

We set out arranging photos on the floor, choosing images that were complimentary in subject and tone, or held interesting juxtapositions.  There were a number of groupings selected for their similarities in gestures of affection and emotion.  Certain unlikely pairings surprised and delighted us.

Our installation specialist Chris Lidrbauch carefully measured the space and photos, and hung each photograph with care.

We had a wonderful time and hope everyone enjoys the show!

Sindi Schorr, Katie Mantell, Pat Yancovitz, Sheila Smith, Ann Little John, Janice Wood Wetzel

In Their Own Words

Sweet Spot (Eddie’s Sweet Shop)

Eddie’s Sweet Shop, a Queens landmark for 95 years, serves hot fudge sundaes the old fashioned way – with homemade ice cream, thick hot fudge, real whipped cream, the requisite maraschino cherry–all dripping down the side of a tulip glass.

Like Proust’s madeleine, this gooey confection stirs up memories of sundaes past.  For me, it’s the hot fudge tulip sundaes served at the corner drugstore in Rockland, Maine, twenty miles from my seaside home in Friendship.  I’d plot for days until I could wangle a ride to Rockland, perch on a silvery stool and practically hold my breath until the object of my longing appeared.  I don’t know which was best – the anticipation or the having it all, but I can close my eyes and remember every spoonful.   Better still, I can go to Eddie’s Sweet Shop anytime I please and make new memories!

To capture this dreamscape, I haunted the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and 72nd Road in Queens, night after night this past winter waiting for the holiday lights in the window to be turned on and just enough ambient light to create a sense of mystery and nostalgia.  Traffic rarely cooperated, parked cars wouldn’t move out of the way, my fingers got numb and my tripod fell into pieces in a snow bank.  I got the shot!

–Joyce Morrill

Katie Mantell, Exhibitions Director
Catherine Kirkpatrick, Archives Director