THE GASCOINE GALLERY
Two Exhibitions:
Abby Shahn and Masks
The Gascoine Gallery is excited to present two exhibitions: Abby Shahn, Paintings of Faces, nine large paintings from her series, Faces, and Masks Around the World, a collection.
Both exhibitions will be on display from August 1 through October 30, 2020, Wednesday through Saturday, 10am—5pm. The Gascoine Gallery is located at 16 Greenville Road, Second Floor, above Monson Pottery, Monson, Maine 04464
Abby Shahn is widely known for her rich paintings with dynamic constructions and vibrant colors that appear to jump off the surface of her works. This exhibition comprises nine of her iconic paintings, which she calls Faces. At first glance, one is struck by the energy in the strokes laid down by this master's hand. Only after some consideration do the faces reveal themselves: an eyelid, the curl of a lip, an ear. More personalities than portraits, each painting introduces a unique character. Someone we know? Or someone, like us, caught up in the complexities of living? Shahn's collision of abstract construction and selected depiction hides nothing. In these faces we can identify ourselves, our despondency, our joys, and our hopes.
Masks Around the World is an exhibition conceived before the onset of the Corona Virus pandemic. Now we are all wearing masks. The thirty four masks in this show come from six continents and span one hundred years. These masks were created for reasons other than protection from an insidious virus. They were created for carnivals, theatrical performances, coming of age ceremonies, and reenactments of past events. Some were used to express emotion, some were made for the love of making, and some for sports. What they all have in common is that each mask modifies the face, disguising the wearer. They take us to another place, a place where reality fades and fantasy rules.
