Gallery show: ‘Scenes from the Apocalypse’

Melanie Carr Gallery presents “Scenes from the Apocalypse,” featuring ceramic works by local artist Jennifer McCandless. The series uses humor and satirical narratives to challenge the viewer’s perspectives on constructions of identity and societal norms. The is on view street-side now through May 31.

While the gallery remains closed to the public, visitor can view artwork on foot or by car.

Carr said, “Thank you to everyone who has provided amazing digital content — it is necessary and inspiring — but there is no replacement to viewing, or living with, actual artwork in the physical world. I am pleased to present Scenes from the Apocalypse, safely and responsibly, and hope it will be enjoyed by many as we continue to take good care of each other during this unprecedented time.”

The expressive quality of McCandless’ works takes dark, personal realities and offers a sympathetic, playful scene. The lively individuals embody the multiplicities of female experience, including body image, beauty standards, marriage, and relationships of humanity in nature. They also tell stories of struggle and offer commentary on society's fears for the future. Our relationships to ourselves, each other, death, religion, nature: these are everyday topics but are often rather unpalatable to think seriously and critically about. In this exhibition, viewers will experience serious issues twisted into something darkly humorous. McCandless stated, "I use the humor as an access point to the viewer, using satire to look at darkness; not to dismiss it, but to grapple with it anew. I am creating a polyphony of voices, celebrating the mundane, the grotesque, the unnoticed, a contemporary unsung chorus.”

Scenes from the Apocalypse is on view through May 31, 2020. Stay tuned at melaniecarrgallery.com for a virtual talk with artist Jennifer McCandless.

Melanie Carr Gallery is a project space dedicated to the practice, exhibition, and sale of contemporary art and design. The goal of Melanie Carr Gallery is to promote the importance of contemporary art and examine its impact on society while providing its artists greater exposure to new audiences. It is located at 1 North Main Street, #10 Essex.

Melanie Carr is a Connecticut based artist, educator and gallerist. Carr received her MFA from the College of Art and Design at Lesley University in 2011 after serving in the United States Navy. Carr spent over 10 years at the New Britain Museum of American Art in various roles including Curator of New Media. She is now Adjunct Professor at Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut where she teaches drawing and foundations.

Carr’s work has been featured in solo exhibitions at Soapbox Gallery, NY, Stockman Gallery, New Britain, City Arts on Pearl, Hartford, Westport Arts Center, Westport, and Pegasus Gallery, Middletown. In addition, Carr’s work was included in numerous exhibits that include The Point, United Kingdom, Gibney Dance, NYC, Gallery Aferro, New Jersey, The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts in Wilmington, Mattatuck Museum, CT, Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, CT, and Herter Gallery, MA.

To reach the gallery, call 860-830-6949, or email melcarrstudio@comcast.net

Contributed photos Above, “Moby Dick Coughs Up a Plastic Furball,” Mixed media by Jennifer McCandless. Left, “Western Gods Trying to Convince Other Gods They Never Existed,” Ceramic.