October 26 - November 17, 2007
Reception: Tuesday, October 30, 6 - 8pm

School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “Isthmus,” an exhibition of work by nine emerging photographers who recently graduated from the BFA Photography Department and formed their own critique group as a way to bridge their studies and a life-long art practice. The exhibition is curated by faculty member Eric Weeks.

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas. Every young artist must make a transition from student artist to practicing adult artist after his or her academic career has ended. Many do not bridge this gap, for various reasons. Some lack the discipline to work on their own, without an imposed deadline. Some, wracked with the guilt of “not producing enough work,” beat themselves up to the point of stasis. Yet others need a community in which to communicate their ideas.

This group of nine recent SVA graduates found a way to build an isthmus between their graduation and a life-long art practice. They banded together to create their own critique group to help support each other and have an outlet for their work.

These artists were like-minded friends in school and, to their surprise, they have found a common theme in their various works: the desire to communicate what it is like to cross into adulthood after leaving childhood, while questioning the process of maturation and what it means to each of them individually.

Julia Swyers makes sculptural objects that incorporate photography, in an attempt to encapsulate and fight back her fear of losing a loved one. Nicholas Fevelo is also attempting to alleviate his fears, specifically of losing the natural world, and has come up with a visual strategy to “fool” mankind into leaving alone what little remains unsullied.

Joanna Novelli found herself so inundated with imagery that she was in danger of losing her visual sensitivity, but came to realize that what was familiar can once again be different and unknown. This same wonder is found in Ira James’ lyrical images of floating plastic bags. Deborah Siegel also mines the familiar - her family home - in order to explore the psychology of family structure.

Ryan Handt makes portraits of acquaintances and close friends. By defining those whom he knows, he comes closer to defining himself. Meanwhile, Rachael Woodson searches for moments that serve as metaphor for her emotional experiences. Sharon Goldberg photographs empty interior spaces that are both literally and figuratively deconstructed, while Clara Varadi-True rounds out the group with a sculpture of a large bird’s nest, an apt metaphor for all of these young artists’ longing for a place that is of their own making.