The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Art around Wellesley, and a bit beyond at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln

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The Gardens at Elm Bank Reservation at 900 Washington St. are the backdrop for a new  exhibit featuring works from New England Sculptors Association artists. The sculptures, nestled among flowers and plants, are on display now. Here are some pics:

Water Muse by David Adilman. Located in Weezie’s Garden, Elm Bank Reservation.
Winged Foot, by Michael Alfano, at Elm Bank Reservation.
Gulls and Crows by Eric Lintala, at Elm Bank Reservation.

Tenacre School installs sculpture by Matisse’s great-grandaughter

Tenacre School honored retiring head of school Chris Elliot by dedicating a newly created and installed outdoor sculpture in his honor. The sculpture is located next to Tenacre’s science building.  The mother-daughter artist team of Linda Hoffman and Ariel Matisse (great-granddaughter of French artist Henri Matisse, 1869 – 1954, known for his use of color) collaborated to create the sculpture – a cast of bronzed wood in honor of a large ash tree that graced the front lawn of the head of school’s home on Benvenue Street for years. The artists’ vision was to create a sculpture that expresses how new growth originates from old wood.

Mother-daughter team of artists Ariel Matisse, left, (Henri Matisse’s great-grandaughter) and Linda Hoffman

Ariel Matisse, who works out of a studio in Somerville, isn’t the only talented progeny of Henri who lives and creates locally. During a visit to the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, I noticed that the artist of the much-loved interactive musical sculpture, Musical Fence (1980), was listed as Paul Matisse. This Matisse, another of that family’s many artistically talented members, lives in Groton, Massachusetts and happens to be Henri’s grandson.

The deCordova is a great place to take young children and expose them to art in an incredibly accessible setting. They can run around, touch many of the over 50 pieces, and generally act like children without risking the censure of the art world’s protectors. Then, if it seems like a good idea that day, you can bring them into the museum and see how they do. If it becomes immediately apparent that the the answer is going to be, “not good,” well no harm, no foul then. You’ve all come away with a good, enjoyable dose of culture at the Sculpture Park. You are a great parent.

Musical Fence (1980), by Paul Matisse, at the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture park.

Some other sculptures currently on display at the deCordova:

Nari Ward’s 2017 goat sculptures are new to the Decordova’s outdoor area.

 

Nari Ward’s 2017 goat sculptures are new to the Decordova’s outdoor area.
Inside the deCordova, you can see Tether, by Ian McMahon, a plastic, steel, and hardware room-sized sculpture. The blurb says McMahon “…has invented a new way of sculpting with air and plaster…The resulting forms are enormous, pillow-like forms contained in a metal corral.”I asked the guard if she has trouble corralling children who want to touch, and perhaps run full-speed into the soft-looking piece. “I never have any trouble,” she sternly said.

Wellesley High School Evolutions art installation

Students from the WHS Evolutions program installed works of art in a downtown Wellesley storefront to raise awareness about the town’s Unified Plan. Working with the Wellesley Planning Dept., Youth Commission, NRC, Recreation and other town departments, the group studied aspects of the Unified Plan during the school year and interpreted them using a reclaimed chair and a human form to symbolize a “seat at the table for all residents” to help shape the future of Wellesley. Their work can be viewed in the front windows of the former GettiGear spot at 91 Central Street.
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