Archeology of Memory

Artists’ reception: Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 2 to 4 pm

Exhibition is up from September 17 until October 26, 2024. Gallery hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 am to 1 pm.

 Co-Curators:

Art critic and writer, Tris McCall, juror
PE Pinkman, director of the Watchung Arts Center

“Archeology of Memory” invited artists to delve into the depths of human recollection and the layers of personal and collective history. Just as archeologists unearth artifacts to piece together the past, this exhibition aims to uncover and interpret the fragments of memory that shape our present and future. We encouraged artists to examine how memories are preserved, distorted, and reimagined, and to reflect on how they influence our sense of self and our understanding of history.

Artists were invited to explore a wide range of themes related to memory, including but not limited to:

• Personal Memories: The subjective nature of individual experiences and how they contribute to our identity.
• Collective Memory: How shared histories and cultural narratives are formed, maintained, and altered over time.
• Historical Memory: The impact of historical events on contemporary life and the process of remembering and forgetting.
• Memory and Identity: The relationship between memory and personal or cultural identity.
• The Physicality of Memory: The way memories can be represented through physical objects, spaces, or materials.