Rhode island's art&newport unveils skyward visions this summer
Brooklyn-based artists Na Kim and Austin Eddy are set to captivate visitors with two striking solo exhibitions this summer, both exploring an unexpected verticality within the historic landscapes of Newport, Rhode Island.
A clouded perspective and sculpted heights
Art&Newport, founded in 2017 by Dodie Kanazjian, is once again transforming a significant seaside location into a temporary gallery space. This year’s focus? The sky—literally. Kim’s “Portraits,” debuting this week at the 17th-century Old Stone Mill in Touro Park, presents a series of delicate cloud paintings, meticulously secured in waterproof frames. Adding to the experience, a horizontal canvas will be displayed at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. It’s a departure for the art director of The Paris Review and creative director of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, who will also be exhibiting similar work in New York this fall.
Kim describes her approach as a reflection of the ever-shifting nature of faces and clouds, a constant state of becoming. “When I first started painting three years ago, I was drawn to painting portraits because of the inscrutable and changing nature of faces,” she explained. “I feel the same way about clouds that I do about people and faces. They’re constantly shape-shifting, appearing and disappearing. There’s something about paying attention to them that makes me feel present in the same way that I do when I’m painting or really connecting with another person.”
Meanwhile, “Hope Deferred,” opening late next month at Norman Bird Sanctuary, features a bustling collection of ceramic bird sculptures by Eddy. The work, crafted over several years, is arranged within and around the 19th-century barn, a deliberate juxtaposition. Eddy’s statement hints at the sculptures’ enduring metaphor for the self – a constant evolution of meaning as they relate to each other. “The Birds have always been a metaphor for aspects of the self or the human condition. They still exist as that here, but their meanings can change when they’re amassed,” he noted. “In this context the uniqueness of each individual sculpture is highlighted while simultaneously elevating its counterparts. For this exhibition, they will occupy the same table, same space, same life, existing as a group and almost [relinquishing] their responsibility as an individual. Through this togetherness and focus on the unknown, I am hoping to take a closer look at the kindness of living.”
“Portraits” will run for two weeks, from July 28th through August 10th, offering a brief but intense immersion into Kim’s ethereal vision. “Hope Deferred,” however, promises a longer residency, animating the sanctuary until the start of June next year. Admission to both exhibitions is free, a welcome opportunity to engage with contemporary art amidst Rhode Island’s stunning coastal scenery. It's a reminder that even in the most established locales, a fresh perspective – often pointing skyward – can offer a surprising revelation.”n