Artist Carla Rae Johnson Imagines the Unlikely Gatherings of Creative Figures
Westchester Community College (WCC)’s Fine Art Gallery in Valhalla presents a series of works by artist Carla Rae Johnson through March 10. The exhibition title, Séance, references a meeting during which participants attempt to communicate with spirits. The exhibition aptly pairs unlikely creative figures from different points in history and imagines a meeting between them. The drawings and sculptural tableaux place Bessie Smith at Ludwig Van Beethoven’s piano; Georgia O’Keeffe in a game of “I Spy” with Galileo Galilei; Emily Dickinson across a chess board from Marchel Duchamp; and Frida Kahlo meeting Franz Kafka to ponder human suffering as they play “Ring Around the Rosie.” Johnson explains: “I wanted some women I deeply admire to meet up with renowned male counterparts… and I wanted them to match wits, and to commune as equals.” Each pair navigates the social and ideological barriers that divide them. An Artist Talk will take place on February 28. The gallery is located on the third floor of the Hankin Academic Arts Building. For more info, visit sunywcc.edu/gallery.
A version of this article first appeared in the February issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
