Art & Nature: New Exhibitions in Rhode Island

This summer, Rhode Island's renowned Art&Newport initiative is once again transforming historic locations into captivating art spaces, featuring two distinct yet thematically resonant exhibitions by Brooklyn-based artists Na Kim and Austin Eddy. Both artists draw inspiration from the natural world, creating immersive experiences that encourage contemplation and connection with their surroundings. These installations continue Art&Newport's tradition of presenting thought-provoking contemporary art within the picturesque and historically rich landscape of the seaside city.

Art&Newport, established in 2017 by Dodie Kanazjian, a long-serving contributing editor at Vogue, annually enlivens Newport's most iconic sites with temporary art displays. Past exhibitions have ranged from vibrant installations of painted yacht sails by Cy Gavin at the IYRS School of Technology & Trades to reinterpretations of card-playing motifs by artists such as Tina Barney, Cecily Brown, and John Currin at the Vernon House. This year's presentations by Na Kim and Austin Eddy are set to enrich this legacy by integrating art seamlessly with their chosen historical backdrops.

One of the featured exhibitions, titled “Na Kim: Portraits,” which recently commenced, showcases a collection of delicate cloud paintings by artist Na Kim. These lyrical works, meticulously secured in waterproof frames, are displayed within the ancient 17th-century Old Stone Mill in Touro Park. An additional horizontal painting can be viewed at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum on Bellevue Avenue. Kim, known for her vibrant figurative art and her roles as art director for The Paris Review and creative director for Farrar, Straus and Giroux, will also exhibit cloud paintings in New York later this fall at Nicola Vassell.

Reflecting on her creative process, Kim articulated that her interest in painting, which began three years ago, initially gravitated towards portraits due to the enigmatic and ever-changing nature of human faces. She experiences a similar sentiment towards clouds, noting their constant metamorphosis, appearing and vanishing. For Kim, observing clouds fosters a sense of presence, mirroring the engagement she feels while painting or connecting deeply with another individual. This perspective underscores the contemplative and intimate nature of her cloud series.

The second Art&Newport exhibition, “Austin Eddy: Hope Deferred,” is slated to open in the coming weeks. This show will feature a dynamic collection of ceramic bird sculptures, meticulously created by Austin Eddy over several years. These sculptures will be installed both within and around the 19th-century barn at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, offering a unique interplay between art and natural habitat.

Eddy elaborated on the symbolism behind his avian creations, stating that the birds have consistently served as a metaphor for aspects of the human condition and the self. While this symbolic representation persists in the current exhibition, their meaning evolves when presented collectively. He highlighted how the individuality of each sculpture is emphasized, even as it elevates its counterparts within the group. The sculptures will share a common table, space, and existence, functioning as a unified entity and thereby lessening their individual responsibilities. Through this emphasis on togetherness and an embrace of the unknown, Eddy aims to delve deeper into the intrinsic kindness found in the act of living.

While Kim's “Portraits” will be on display for a concise period from July 28 to August 10, Eddy's “Hope Deferred” offers a more extended viewing opportunity, gracing the sanctuary from August 27 until early June of the following year. Both exhibitions are freely accessible to the public, inviting broad engagement with these compelling artistic interpretations of nature and human experience.