For You exhibition honors area artists, in memoriam

This summer, the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery will present For You, an exhibition of artwork created by artists who have passed away, but whose work and memory remain meaningful to Capital Region residents who knew them.

On view from June 12 through Aug. 22, the open-call exhibition consists of artworks submitted by the artists' friends and relatives living in the region. The exhibition was inspired by Troy resident Bruce Ottmer. Determined to bring a painting by his late wife, Claire Durani Nack, to a larger audience but unable to find an exhibition venue, Ottmer shared the painting with passersby on the corner of Lark Street in Albany. In response, Tang curatorial assistant Megan Hyde organized For You to give regional residents a venue to exhibit work made by deceased friends and relatives, and simultaneously to celebrate the artists' lives and talents. 

The Tang's open-call search for submissions resulted in so many works offered to the non-juried show that the artworks will be presented in two versions, the first on view from June 12 to July 11 and the second from July 17 to Aug. 22.  (A list of artists on view in each iteration can be seen on the Tang's website).  Public events accompanying the exhibition will include an exhibition talk with Hyde at noon Wednesday, June 23; and opening receptions at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 12, and at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 17.  The July 17 reception will also celebrate the opening of the museum's two summer exhibitions: Paula Hayes: Understory (July 17, 2010-April 1, 2011) and Suzanne Bocanegra: I Write the Songs (July 17, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011).

One constant in both versions of For You will be a painting by Nack; additional works will include landscapes, portraits and abstracts, photography, and sculptural forms such as vases and bowls. Along with the artworks, Hyde collected personal stories about the artists from the family members and friends who submitted their works, stories that will appear in a brochure accompanying the show.

Among the works on view will be several portraits of the people who submitted them; two war-related pieces, including a Spanish-American War soldier's watercolor sketch of his companions-in-arms; and a collage of matchsticks dipped in paint. That one is by painter Peter Taylor, who had a habit of neatly lining up the matchsticks he used to unplug tubes of oil paint. A friend visiting his studio remarked that he should make them into a piece, which he did, and gave to her.  

Overall, says Hyde, "The main idea was a response to what Bruce Ottmer did, what I see as a brilliantly simple, selfless gesture. I wanted to try to extend Mr. Ottmer's gesture within an exhibition space."

Tang Museum hours are noon-5 p.m. daily. The museum is closed Mondays. In July and August, the Tang is open from noon to 7 p.m. Fridays. Admission is free; donations are suggested. For more information about For You and other Tang exhibitions and events, call (518) 580-8080 or click here.