For the first time in more than 20 years, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum is showcasing Ocean State talent in an exhibit called “Locally Made.” According to the museum’s website, the exhibit is “celebrating the rich and diverse talent in the city and nearby communities.” The upper gallery is filled with locally made pieces, while the lower gallery has live demonstrations and lectures.
One of the artists being featured in this exhibition is Allison Bianco, a Providence native. Her piece, The Sinking of Matunuck, is a panoramic view of the area of Matunuck.
“My goal as an artist is to create images that connect specific history and collective memories, and my works often include iconography specific to Rhode Island.”
She said the Rhode Island-only show “elevates the term ‘local art’ to an important visual history of our state and provides meaningful examples of the artistic profession happening in Rhode Island.”
Another artist’s politically driven artwork was commissioned specifically for Locally Made. Jessica Rosner’s piece, The Election Gloves, is a diary-style account of the 2012 presidential election written upon rubber gloves.
“I followed the election obsessively for the year preceding election day, keeping a diary of important ups and downs in politics, as well as in my own life. The gloves reflect the responsibilities, deadlines, and minutiae of all our lives, while big stories happen around us.”
In the close up below, the last glove in the series reads, “Obama won. Now I can go back to worrying about my mom, my work, my lack of income. Am cool with that.”
Rosner went onto say that she is honored to have been a part of such a unique exhibition and that it gave her a chance to get to know other artists living in the state.
Both Rosner and Bianco’s pieces, as well as many others, can be viewed in the Locally Made exhibit until November 3rd.
