Images of Americana
Taber Art Gallery exhibit connect past and present
Paintings of dolls, guns, antique furniture, clothing, yearbooks, toys and more comprise a new exhibit by Greenfield painter Kelly Popoff in the Taber Art Gallery at Holyoke Community College.
"At Home with Our Histories" opened Mon., Feb. 24, and runs through Thurs., March 26, with an opening reception and gallery talk with Popoff Wed., March 4, at 8:30 a.m.
According to Popoff, "At Home with Our Histories" is a series that examine images of Americana." The collection was created "perhaps as an instinctive response to try to make sense of our current culture by looking back," she says in her artist's statement, "or maybe to find connections that may explain why our history seems so present and unresolved. This series reflects my own, personal histories and a societal, American history.
"Through my work, I acknowledge that the social problems of today are deeply rooted in our past," she says. "Through this dialog with history, I hope to contribute to the redirection of social, psychological and spiritual aspects of the future."
The Taber Art Gallery, located off the lobby of the HCC Library on the second floor of the HCC Donahue Building, is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during regular school sessions or by appointment.
Popoff was born in Akron, Ohio, and lives and works in Greenfield. She holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts in painting and ceramics from Miami University and a master's degree in fine arts in painting from the University of North Carolina.
Her recent honors include a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowship in painting; the Clowes Fund Fellowship and Residency, Vermont Studio Center 2019; Millay Colony Fellow 2018; the Artist's Resource Trust Fellowship and Residency, Vermont Studio Center 2017; The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Grant 2017; a Promise Award from the Sustainable Arts Foundation 2016; Finalist Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowship in Painting 2016.
Recent solo shows include "At Home with Our Histories" at The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, "O Children" at the Herter Gallery at the University of Massachusetts, and "Rock on Doily" at the Augusta Savage Gallery at the University of Massachusetts.
For more information, please contact Amy Johnquest, director of the Taber Art Gallery, at 413.552.2614.
PHOTOS by CHRIS YURKO: "At Home with Our Histories," by Kelly Popoff at the HCC Taber Art Gallery through March 26.
