A New Leaf

By Elin Spring and Suzanne Révy

We were delighted to serve as jurors for “A New Leaf” group exhibition at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (RICPA) in Providence, now on view through June 11th, 2021. Our selections for the show reflect our growing optimism as brighter, warmer days and an end to the pandemic come into view. While the call for entries attracted a variety of responses, we were drawn to imagery that expresses a sense of connection, renewal, and hope. Some of our selections are joyful declarations while others are muted and ephemeral. Whether elegantly descriptive or interpretive, comprised of single or multiple frames, rendered in black and white or color, we chose works that we felt possess a strong vision. “A New Leaf” comprises a lively and inviting conversation on the gallery walls and we encourage those who can to see it in person. We thank David DeMelim for inviting us and want to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who submitted images. Congratulations to the exhibiting artists! Those whose outstanding work receives our special recognition are highlighted below.

FIRST PRIZE

“Fly Away” from the series Dimensions by Bill Gore, courtesy of the artist and RICPA, Providence.

“Fly Away” by Bill Gore is infused with vibrant energy, it’s hues rising from earth tones to cerulean skies and solar yellows. Dazzling silhouetted birds in flight appear to be breaking out of a translucent box in a soaring proclamation of freedom.

SECOND PRIZE

Feature Image: “Big Pink” 2020, from the series Passing Through by Gail Samuelson, courtesy of the artist and RICPA, Providence.

“Big Pink” by Gail Samuelson glows with the ephemeral beauty of early springtime. The asymmetric diptych echoes light and shadow, enchanting patterns of sharp and soft focus, and a delicate vernal palette that conveys a sense of yearning.

THIRD PLACE

“Shadow Play” by Mark Coggins, courtesy of the artist and RICPA.

“Shadow Play” by Mark Coggins abounds with a sense of adventure, discovery and companionship. The dynamic composition pits running kids against their playful shadows and corrals contrasting tones, textures and lines into a square format brimming with vitality.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

“Pristine Christine” triptych (L to R): “Teddy” 2018, “Pristine Christine II” 2020, “Pristine Christine VI” 2020, Provincetown, MA from the series Wild West of the East by Michael Joseph, courtesy of the artist.

The “Pristine Christine” grouping of Polaroids by Michael Joseph (that we assembled into a triptych for the purposes of this exhibit) expresses the ultimate in revitalization, from one being into another. In this forthright, close-up metamorphosis from a weary, smoke-obscured individual to an entirely different exuberant and audacious one, the photographer asserts the liberating effects of transformation.

“Water Tapestry Triptych: Armonioso” by Lisa Redburn, courtesy of the artist and RICPA, Providence.

“Water Tapestry Triptych: Armonioso” by Lisa Redburn layers the textures on a pond surface with reflections from above in a lyrical ensemble. In muted pastel hues, the shapes and contours in multiple frames create an internal dance and another between real and inferred worlds that emanate possibility.

Vibrations in the Brush” by David Blow, courtesy of the artist and RICPA, Providence.

“Vibrations in the Brush” by David Blow envisions the connection between the earth’s atomic vibrations and the larger natural world in a scintillating abstraction. Utilizing a palette of mellifluous earth tones, the photographer interweaves geometric shapes, symbolizing both molecular and musical elements, with an image of courting birds in a jubilant composition.

“Yellow Hydrant” by Margot Hartford, courtesy of the artist and RICPA, Providence.

“Yellow Hydrant” by Margot Hartford pops with the spirit of spring. With its fresh, bright palette, clever composition and witty use of props, this image is an artful expression of joy.

A New Leaf  exhibition includes work from: Morgan Anderson, Philip Bagley, Sylvia Bandyke, Sharon Bibeault, Jeremy Blair, David Blow, Amy Broderick, Angela Brown, Bill Clark, Mark Coggins, Marcy Cohen, Michael Corthell, Barbara Crane, Donna Dagott, Rebecca Finley, Sarah Forbes, Kristie Gardiner, Beverly Gardner, Carole Glauber, Bill Gore, Stefan Hagen, Margot Hartford, Rohina Hoffman, Bonnie Jaffe, Marc Jaffe, Michael Joseph, Lauren Kalita, Deborah Kaplan, Coco McCabe, Katherine McVety, Ralph Mercer, Wendy Ploger, Amy Ragus, Lisa Redburn, Gail Samuelson, Carmen Scheafer, Lev L Spiro, Robert Stratton, Jacqui Turner & Heather Wasaff.

For more information about the exhibit and to view it online, go to: https://www.riphotocenter.org/a-new-leaf-a-juried-exhibition-by-elin-spring-suzanne-revy/