Fay Chandler’s “A Show of Objects”

at Sacramento Street Gallery

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

A serious side of whimsy becomes the prevalent theme of “A Show of Objects,” a new exhibition opening Oct. 4 at the Aggasiz Neighborhood Council’s Sacramento Street Gallery. The show, which runs through Nov. 8, features over two dozen of artist Fay Chandler’s “Objects” which, although capricious and charming, convey an effort which is both tangible and earnest. Chandler, who just celebrated her 80th birthday, fashioned the pieces from found materials, and infused them with character and personality reflective of her own mental images.

Chandler has been featured in over 30 solo exhibitions and in numerous national group shows. As founder of the Art Connection, an organization that places original artwork at non-profit institutions, she is responsible for work being shown at Rosie’s Place, the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union, the Fenway Clinic and other sites. Her work is also held at the MFA, the DeCordova, the Danforth and the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA.

Friend and assistant Rob Rovenolt recalled their 28-year-long acquaintance, stemming from when they were fellow resident artists at the Boston Center for the Arts. “I was working on box constructions at the time,” he reminisced, “which incorporated found objects.” He recounted the technicalities of her method: “Fay began using some small objects, placed on her canvases and spray painted over, to create recognizable patterns in her paintings. From there she began attaching the objects to painted backgrounds to form bas-reliefs. Soon after that, they stood alone as frontal 3-D constructions.”

"What's interesting for me in viewing Fay Chandler's objects,” said Art Connection Executive Director Jim McDonald, “is relating them to the artist. Like Fay, many of her objects observe their own environment with a sense of humor, a great sense of wonder, and even a bit of self-mockery. There is a perfect application of found objects on her objects, particularly in forming observing eyes.”

The tax exempt, nonprofit ANC’s gallery features the work of Cambridge residents; its programs, created by visual and performance artists, include a children’s series of dance, drama, music and puppet shows.

“We are very excited to have Fay Chandler in our gallery,” said Executive Director Terry DeLancey, “not only because of her delightfully whimsical objects, but also because she has done so much for the arts community in Cambridge.” DeLancey sees a special opportunity to connect the exhibit with ANC’s mission to interest children in the arts; to this end, afterschool visits will be arranged.

“Fay's objects display her wry sense of humor combined with a very personal take on the world we live in,” said Rovenolt. “She has the uncanny ability to see and make heads and full figures from the most unassuming discarded items. Fay's world exists in many layers and when the viewer enters it, they get to breath rarefied air!” Indeed, the objects comprise an entertaining, engaging display; they appear nearly animated in their depiction of ties between visible forms and an artists’ mental impressions.

"Fay is always picking little things up from our office,” said McDonald, “asking, 'You don't mind if I take this, do you? You were going to throw it out, anyway, weren't you?' It's really fun to see where these things end up on her objects."

On Sept. 14, the Art Connection will be celebrating both its 8th anniversary and Chandler’s 80th birthday at the Boston Center for the Arts.

“Innovation, accessibility for all, and joy from the arts is the spirit of living an artful life,” said DeLancey.

Proceeds of any sales from “A Show of Objects” will benefit the Art Connection and the Maud Morgan Visual Arts Center Building Fund, a program of the ANC.

The Sacramento Street Gallery, located at 20 Sacramento Street in Cambridge, is open Monday though Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 617-349-6287 or visit www.agassiz.org. For information on the Art Connection, please call 617-338-7668 or visit www.art2life.org.