MATTHEW HARTWOOD

The declared theme for September’s FCCA art show was “Personal Commentary.” Some artists emphasized the personal and submitted introspective pieces that ran the spectrum from the high-key light of spiritual transcendence to the dark shadows of exorcised demons. Others focused on the commentary with “pro” or “anti” political statements. While others made less obvious connections. For me, what art isn’t a personal commentary?

As juror, I left the interpretation of the theme up to the artists and began culling through the 160 submittals; basing my criterion on what I perceived as the successful use of composition, technique, color, texture and form. Artwork was categorized as “yes”, “no” or “maybe.” “Yeses” were technically strong and stirred some emotional response in me. I particularly liked works that pushed boundaries or presented multiple layers. Pieces categorized as “maybes” were technically okay but awkward in some way or flawed but had some appeal. I did not include any “maybes” in the show but would have if there were not enough “yeses” to make a strong presentation in the gallery. “Noes” were pieces which utilized composition, technique, color, texture and form, in my opinion, with less success.

The selection of winners was based on whether they evoked a powerful gut reaction from me on first viewing. The winning portrait, “Louise Speaks in Silence” by Nancy Fisher captued me with the depiction of her subject’s haunting eyes. Second place, Darlene Graeser’s “Quince Aňos: A Father's Farewell” awed me with her bold use of color. Third place, “Ropes Used to Dig Deeper” by Stephanie Bingham intrigued me with her playful oxymoronic mind games. And for honorable mention, “Do Not Feed the Beast of War” by Passle Helminski impressed me with her use of texture and form.

Juror: Matthew Harwood sits on the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and is currently Chair of the Public Art Committee. He graduated with honors from the Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design in 1983. Also in 1983, he was juried into the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and soon abandoned his career in architecture for one in art. His award winning artwork is included in many private and corporate collections; and has been shown in solo and group shows in museums, galleries and special exhibitions.