In the Making: Finished and Unfinished Works in Dialogue
Curated by Artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, this exhibition of duality will feature two pieces—one considered a success and one that fell short—by participating artists.
These works will be displayed as pairs, creating a visual conversation that explores the complex relationship between achievement and failure, intention, and outcome. By doing so, the exhibition exposes the raw, often hidden side of artistic practice, breaking down the myth of effortless genius and making the creative process more accessible.
Join us for the opening reception on October 24, 2024!
About The Curator:
Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about inspiring others, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom. Julie’s achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications – including her own book – and exhibits in New York City and Greater Boston. She is a graduate of Brown University.
“We are all more than we appear to be. So, too, is my artwork. Bold, bright, and colorful from afar, the work changes when you view it closely. A curator once told me that she liked my work the more and more she stared at it because she kept seeing new things. I want my paintings to be like the best kind of people: more and more interesting as you get to know them.” – Julie Fei Fan Balzer
Curator’s Statement
What makes a piece of art successful?
Books have been written on this topic. Artists argue over it ad nauseum. Academics, journalists, and everyone who has been to a museum or a gallery has an opinion on the topic.“In the Making”presents pairs of works—one the artist considers a success and another that the artist feels fell short – in order to illustrate the notion that success in artwork is a fluid concept. As a curator, the two opinions that I am most interested in are the artist’s opinion of their own work and your opinion of it when you stand and look at it.
Art is never a neutral experience. It reflects our identities, our engagement with history, our lived experience, the prejudices and expectations we hold, and the culture we live in. As you engage with each pairing in this exhibit, consider how the artist’s perspective—shaped by their experiences, background, and vision—may differ from your own. (You can use the QR codes next to the art to read statements from the artists about their work.)
This tension between artist and viewer – the understanding that the artist and the viewer bring different lenses to the same piece – is an exciting part of the art viewing experience. An artist may judge a work as unsuccessful, but a viewer might love it. Or vice versa.
In a world that often emphasizes final results, “In the Making” reminds us that there is a mountain of work, worry, effort, thought, and time behind each piece of finished art.
Ultimately, I hope that “In the Making” is about more than the work on display. It’s about the dialogue between artist and viewer. It’s about being brave enough to share our struggle publicly. And perhaps Andy Warhol was right when he said, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”
All of the artwork in this exhibit, whether deemed a success or a failure by the artist, carries the imprint of the artist’s intentions. And you begin a fresh new dialogue with those intention when you give the work your attention.
– Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Curator
Dates
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In Fall 2024, the New Art Center inaugurates “Curating at the Intersection: The Power of Equity in Exhibition Program,” featuring three exhibitions annually. Designed to support early to mid-career Queer, BIPOC, and community artists.
