Vastness

In East Boston, a collaboration between the ClipArt Gallery and the Atlantic Works Gallery (AWG), curated by AWG artist member Sandrine Colson, four Massachusetts artists present “Vastness” – a show of abstract paintings, landscapes, and textile works, featuring the work of artists Tarja Cockell, Nan Hockenbury, Suzanne Hodge, and Margarita Krylova.

“Vastness” is the fact or quality of being great in extent, size, degree, amount and more. It is very often used to represent immensity or hugeness. Things that are described as vast include oceans, seas, space, the heavens, deserts, the surface of the moon, etc. Even places that can’t be touched, like imaginations, are called vast, because of the endless ideas that come out of them. Each artist created colorful imaginative work that ranged from realistic to abstract to interpret the theme of “Vastness” based on their personal experiences and subject expertise. The artwork curated in this exhibition speak to or question each other, viewers, the nature of oceans, and reach beyond the gallery’s windows limits to take our imaginations to limitless horizons.

A native of Finland, Tarja Cockell has a degree in textile and design majoring in weaving. She works in mixed textile mediums to create her contemporary wall art pieces. Her work is influenced by the Scandinavian style of simplicity and clean lines.

Nan Hockenbury works with acrylic or oil paints, pastels, oil bars, and any drawing or painting medium on canvas or paper. Her themes are narratives about imagined nature, herself, or more powerful women. Her paintings record the scene but rely on color and arrangements to express her feelings during the moment of creation.

Suzanne Hodge is a Boston area-based oil painter whose favorite subjects are abstract cityscapes and high key landscapes. Her work often evokes a feeling of mystery and possibility that are the inspiration for many of her art pieces.

Margarita Krylova prefers to see the world as a magical place, and firmly believes that it’s up to us to see the reality that surrounds us with imagination. Her work lives in this grey area between the real and the imagined – in memories, coincidences, associations. Margarita sees nature as a means for soul-searching.

“Vastness” runs April 7 – October 12, 2024 at the ClipArt Gallery, 65 Lewis Street, East Boston, MA. The gallery is open to the public on Saturdays from 12-4 PM.  Waterfront Opening Reception 6-8 PM, Thursday, April 25. More at www.clipartboston.com • atlanticworks.org

In East Boston and in collaboration with Atlantic Works Gallery, Clippership Wharf’s ClipArt Gallery is a contemporary art space, highlighting local artists in a rotating exhibition program. Atlantic Works Gallery located at 80 Border Street is an active East Boston artist collective and cooperative gallery, dedicated to its members and their art since 2003. ClipArt Gallery is located at 65 Lewis Street and is open to the public every Saturday between 12 noon and 4 pm.