There's something commanding mixed with relaxed elegance in the art installation arranged by Jeff Muhs for his artist studio at Southampton Arts Center's "TAKEOVER! Artists in Residence" exhibition. Going for understatement that is still visually bold, Muhs decided to present the experience of visiting an artist studio and receiving a personal tour, complete with little-known art work information and anecdotes offered by the artist on how the piece came to be.
For Muhs, allowing his paintings, sculpture and furniture to take center stage while he waits at the ready to explain all made practical sense. To make his art, Muhs uses materials that aren't friendly for the public or easily transportable to the pop up studio at Southampton Arts Center (SAC) in Southampton Village, NY. (Think wet cement, oversize casting, woodworking with power tools, and layers of poured resin, for starters).
While watching Muhs at work may have proven dramatic, seeing the finished artworks on display in their diverse forms creates plenty of fodder for drama and conversation.
Muhs said he positioned his expansive space at SAC to mirror the way his Southampton studio is arranged. Art works from various previous painting series are visible along with his current area of interest. "Extra" paintings are stacked behind exhibited ones for browsing.
On display, visitors can expect to see pure abstract paintings, figurative paintings that reference art history combined with abstraction, modern furniture and his newest series--paintings inspired by flowers.
Set across from the paintings, his concrete figurative sculptures are positioned to anchor the entrance way leading from one gallery to the next. Nearby, is a table containing drawings that inspired some of the curvy torsos. So are objects that captivate his imagination for these art works and others in progress.
Above the wooden table is a new work that isn't easily identified as a Jeff Muhs. This was purposeful, Muhs explained. By showing the unexpected, it brings visitors into his process and demonstrates the way his art is impacted as new inspirations capture his imagination.
Taken together (or separately), there are plenty of conversation starters. Even the furniture--while welcoming--is an example of Muhs's creativity as they are of his own design.
Discovering his multi-faceted approach and discussing the art can be an integral part of the studio experience when collectors come calling, he said. It's also part of the fun whether his art is viewed in a gallery or museum exhibition or as part of a studio visit, Muhs said.
BASIC FACTS: "TAKEOVER! Artists in Residence" is on view February 9 to April 14, 2019 at the Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, NY 11968. Click here to discover more about the exhibition.
To see more of Jeff Muhs artwork, visit
www.jeffmuhsstudio.com.
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