essence of women collection document & catalogue evan washington clarke nabrit Š MMVIII
(cover: thirsty for the distant rivers)
essence of women collection document & catalogue evan washington clarke nabrit MMVIII
(work in progress)
beautiful distress of mathematics
Š evan nabrit
table of contents
essence of women collection: document & catalogue
artist statement a note on tradition dedication a) monochrome study, * 2001 b) study of two nudes, * 2001
9) hello, its me, 2007 10) thirsty for the distant rivers, 2007 11) august, 2007 12) candy-coated unicorns are very hard to find, * * 2007 13) footsteps in the dark, 2007
1) beautiful distress of mathematics, 2007
14) paradise, 2007
2) lola, 2007
15) dont you remember, 2007
3) kidnap poem, 2007
16) lightening and thunder for a dowry, 2007
4) study of nude with lemon, 2001
17) barely in love, 2007
5) i want to sing, 2007
a note on titles
6) conformed to love, 2007
acknowledgments
7) summer breeze, 2007
contact
8) roses, 2007
show listing citation
* not included in 2007 exhibition * * not included in 2008 catalogue
artist statement evan washington clarke nabrit “While yet a young man, the practice of art is an effort in which I have invested countless hours. Incalculable amounts of energy have I devoted to the refinement of my craft. I await inspiration. When she comes, it is by the grace of God. I seize upon these moments. Uninspired work is just that: work.! A grindstone, while not vital, is useful in the sharpening of those tools needed to fortify the kingdom. Increasingly, as I approach maturity, I am interested in art as a cultural mechanism; a communication in time, involving history and tradition, recollection; as well as seeking to identify and to express those shared elements which animate our contemporary lives.! And on rare occasions, it has been my pleasure to uncover a confluence of inspiration and expression. This is success.�
a note on tradition "spots of color are used to build form" My nudes are!painted using this traditional thesis and a pallet knife, with!oil paints and cold wax medium, on canvas. With each, I am concerned primarily with color, also darks, and light. I tried actively to recapitulate!the knife painting tradition!of!my late mentor (quoted above). Throughout the project, I referred constantly to my apprenticeship, especially as I cut and built bars, stretched and otherwise manufactured the seventeen canvases by hand. I thought, as I laid in color, now dark, then light, 'how would roman like this, or that, spot...' Two minor liberties: I used a gelatin sizing, before applying the!gesso, as this speeds drying time. Additionally,!where Roman would have used!liquin; I used a special mixture of two parts cold wax medium, one parts linseed, and one parts mineral spirits, to achieve the!requisite!impasto.
Dimensions: 20'' x 24'' x 3'', and !24'' x 30'' x 3''. Executed: August 1st - October 30th, 2007. Exhibited: November 1st, 2007 -!January 23, 2008.
dedication: essence of women collection I do not believe it could be overstated, the galvanizing effect of tradition, upon individuals living in community. I should like it to be noted that this collection is in fact, the fruit of a longstanding tradition, involving Emerson Burkhart, Charles Hawthorne, and Dr. Roman Johnson. This project is dedicated in both stance and execution to the memory and superlative tradition of my late mentor Dr. Roman Johnson (1917-2005). Dr. Johnson taught me the fundamentals of how to be an artist; not simply to stretch canvas, to construct the right palette, mix colors, etc. More importantly, Roman showed me how "to see". And I could not imagine a project that would have better suited his peculiar sensibilities.
'venus' of willendorf paleolithic 24,000 BC - 22,000 BC
detail
detail)
'venus' of willendorf
monochrome study
paleolithic 24,000 BC - 22,000 BC
2001
Š evan nabrit
a)
monochome study oil on canvas 20 x 18 2001 Š evan nabrit
b)
study of two nudes oil on canvas 26 x 28 2001 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
study of two nudes 2001
Š evan nabrit
"love rain"
who is jill scott?vol 1/mos def: 2001
i stretched my arms toward the sky like blades of tall grass the sun beat between my shoulders like carnival drums i sat still in hopes that it would help my wings grow so i could really be fly and then she arrived like daybreak in a railroad tunnel like the new moon like a diamond n the mine like high noon to a drunkard, sudden she made my heart beat in a now now time signature her skin a canvas for ultraviolet brushstrokes she was the suns painting she was a deep cognac color her eyes sparkled like lights along the new city her lips purses as if her breath were too sweet and full for her mouth to hold i said, "you are the beautiful distress of mathematics" i said," for you, i would peel open the clouds like new fruit, and give you lightening and thunder as a dowry" "i would make the sky shed all of its stars like rain and i would clasp the constellations around your waist and i would make the heavens your cape and they would be pleased to cover you. may i please cover you."
1)
beautiful distress of mathematics oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
beautiful distress of mathematics
Š evan nabrit
(detail)
lola
Š evan nabrit
2)
lola oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
"kidnap poem"
love poems/nikki giovanni:1997, pg.19
ever been kidnapped by a poet if i were a poet i'd kidnap you put you in my phrases and meter you to jones beach or maybe coney island or maybe just to my house lyric you in lilacs dash you in the rain blend into the beach to complement my see play the lyre for you ode you with my love song anything to win you wrap you in the red black green show you off to mama yeah if i were a poet i'd kid nap you
3)
kidnap poem oil, wax on canvas 24 x 30 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
kidnap poem
Š evan nabrit
4)
study of nude with lemon oil on canvas 20 x 18 2001 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
study of nude with lemon
Š evan nabrit
"i want to sing"
love poems/nikki giovanni:1997, pg. 85
i want to sing a piercing note lazily throwing my legs across the moon my voice carrying all the way over to your pillow i want you i need i swear to loll about the sun and have it smelt me the ionosphere carrying my ashes all the way over to your pillow i want you
(work in progress)
i want to sing
Š evan nabrit
sing
i want to sing oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
conformed to love
Š evan nabrit
6)
conformed to love oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(work in progress)
conformed to love
Š evan nabrit
(work in progress)
summer breeze
Š evan nabrit
7)
summer breeze oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
summer breeze
Š evan nabrit
(work in progress)
roses
Š evan nabrit
(detail)
Š evan nabrit
8)
roses oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
hello, its me 2007
Š evan nabrit
9)
hello, its me oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
10))
thirsty for the distant rivers oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
studio
Š evan nabrit
studio
Š evan nabrit
"august"
love poems/nikki giovanni:1997, pg. 70
apples fall peaches harvested one kind of pear is prickled blackberries turn your fingers blue some cucumbers get pickled biscuts bake or they are fried grits are cooked real slow green tomatoes in bacon fat then its time to go from grandmothers country home back up to the city id rather stay in the barefoot south where everything is pretty
studio
(work in progress))
august
Š evan nabrit
Š evan nabrit
11)
august oil, wax on canvas 24 x 30 2007 Š evan nabrit
not included in catalogue
candy-coated unicorns are very hard to find oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(work in progress)
footsreps in the dark
13)
footsteps in the dark oil, wax on canvas 24 x 30 2007
Š evan nabrit
Š evan nabrit
(work in progress)
paradise
Š evan nabrit
paridse
paridise oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
paradise 2007
Š evan nabrit
studio
(work in progress)
dont you remeber
Š evan nabrit
Š evan nabrit
15)
dont you remember oil, wax on canvas 24 x 30 2007 Š evan nabrit
work in progress
lightening and thunder for a dowry
Š evan nabrit
16)
lightening and thunder for a dowry oil, wax on canvas 20 x 24 2007 Š evan nabrit
(detail)
lightening and thunder for a dowry 2007
Š evan nabrit
studio
(work in progress)
barely in love
Š evan nabrit
Š evan nabrit
17)
barely in love oil, wax on canvas 24 x 30 2007 Š evan nabrit
Acknowlagements: To God be the glory. i am the benefactor of unearned privileges both small and large. The body of work represented today could never have reached this echelon, were it not for the unwavering support of loved ones, friends and family. i deeply appreciate and wish here to acknowledge the amount of energy, time and money invested. I wish to thank my family, preeminently, for encouraging me throughout the myriad challenges of my youth and early adulthood. It has been quite a voyage. To my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Penn, Mrs. H. C. Nabrit: thank you for the countless examples of diligence and resolve. To my parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Nabrit: a thousand kudos; cheers to foresight, and to wisdom, among other things of course. And to my brothers, Charles and Damon, cheers: to dedication, and to patience.! Thanks to everybody who showed love and demonstrated an understanding of the unique challenges of this artist’s life. Thanks also to all you who will view this collection in my absence; it has been a pleasure anticipating your arrival. I hope you enjoy The KIACA Gallery has done me the greatest honor by presenting this body of work to you. !I want to be effusive in my thanks to KIACA Gallery for creating such a wonderful opportunity as this, in our own Columbus Ohio. Special thanks are reserved for Mr. Talle Bamazi. I could not ask for a more confident and sensitive curator. !I feel rewarded by the many valuable lessons you have shared. Special thanks are also reserved for !my aunt C. Penn, for suggesting we convert her attic into the best little studio on Ohio Avenue: “you’re like, so totally a patron of the arts now”. Finally, to the small group of courageous women, who decided to contribute their likeness toward the betterment of this project; special thanks are reserved. Nina, Latrice, Phiness, Sharon-Anne, Daisha: I want to salute your power, searing beauty, and most of all, to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without you, none of this could exist.
Contact: evan washington clarke nabrit 157 sandstone loop w westerville ohio, 43081 614/899.2012 614/787.8705 enabrit@gmail www.nabrit.com/gallery
represented by KIACA gallery 937 north high steet columbus ohio, 43081 614/298.0028 www.KIACA.org
Copyright Notice compilation copyright Š 2001, 2007, 2008, e.w.c. nabrit, all rights reserved
Solo Exhibitions 2007 KIACA gallery, Columbus, OH 2005 Eli Marsh Gallery, Amherst, MA
Selected Group Shows and Exhibitions 2006 DesignFesta vol. 24 Tokyo, JPN 2005 DesignFesta vol. 22 Tokyo, JPN 2005 Logan Galleries on Bestor Plaza, Chautauqua, NY 2004 The Contemporary Artist Center, North Adams, MA 2004 Harambee House, Wellesley, MA. 2003 The Wehrle Gallery, Columbus, OH. 2002 The Augusta Savage Gallery, Amherst, MA
Publications & Conferences 2008 Journal of National Medical Association, Washington DC
naming titles: a successful work speaks for itself. agreed. but particularly with this catalogue, to be distributed worldwide, titles are useful, as a way to couch material. in order to set a mood. here is a comment on naming titles. at the end of the day, a name is everything, re. an artists' sense of 'control', rather its illusion. i know audiences will interpret my work as they will. as they like. that is, independently of my expressed intentions, 2nd order volitions, etc. absent the benefit of my florid explanations, even. it makes me feel better, when showing work, that we have a shared way of calling it, by a good name. one that supplies some context, and a point of reference for the initiated, that i control. explicitly. from the outset. now, whether that name is common or esoteric depends on different variables, such as what is necessary to build the best collection. paintings included in the essence of women collection are named after lyrics from rhythm & blues songs, and love poems.
citation: [1,16] who is jill scott?: words & sounds, vol. 1/ jill scott, mos def: 2001 [2] lola vs powerman and the moneygoround: part one/ the kinks: 1970, 1987 [3, 5, 11] love poems/nikki giovanni: 1997, pgs. 19, 85, 70 [7] 3 + 3/ the isley brothers: 1973 [8, 12] the love below/outkast: 2000 [9] live it up/ the isley brothers: 1974 [10] love deluxe/ sade: 1992 [13] go for your guns/ the isley brothers: 1977 [14] stronger than pride/ sade: 1988 [15] busy body/luther vandross: 1983 [17] kamaal the abstract/ q tip: 2002
"essence of women" album & all artworks represented are the intellectual, commercial & physical property of the artist: evan washington clarke nabrit Š MMVIII all rights reserved by artist unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited
E.W.C.N. © MMVIII