Friday, July 20, 2012

PAAM Marks 50th Anniversary of Motherwell's "Beside the Sea" Series with Show of Rare Works


It was 50 years ago, in the summer of 1962, that Abstract Expressionist painter Robert Motherwell began spending his summers in Provincetown. He was inspired by what he saw around him that summer while he was living in this little spit of sand at the tip of Cape Cod. The power of the waves crashing onto the shoreline made an impression on him, and from his Commercial Street studio in Provincetown he begin his "Beside the Sea" series, which eventually numbered 64 paintings in total.
With all his strength he splattered oil paint on rag paper, mimicking the waves pounding against the bulkhead in front of his studio. When several sheets of this heavy paper split under the force of his arm, Motherwell began using a heavier paper that had been specially reinforced.
Motherwell established the Dedalus Foundation to foster the ideas of the Modernist movement and to increase public awareness and understanding of modern art. He is considered by many to be the best of the Abstract Expressionist painters, with works in major collections and galleries around the world. Click the following link to see over 300 works by Robert Motherwell.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum is mounting an exciting exhibition of rare works created in the artist’s Provincetown studio from its inception that summer in 1962 until his death here in 1991. Robert Motherwell: Beside the Sea, curated by Lise Motherwell and Dan Rinalli, runs through September 30th, with an opening reception tonight, July 20th, from 8 until 10 PM. PAAM will be closed to the public this evening from 6 till 8 PM for a private event.
Robert Motherwell was also among the founders of the Long Point Gallery in 1977, and some of his work there can be seen at PAAM through September 2nd, along with the works of many other important artists from the legendary Long Point Gallery, in a show entitled Long Point: An Artist's Place, curated by Mary E. Abell, Ph.D.
PAAM is located at 460 Commercial Street, open daily in season, with hours varying by day and season. Phone 508 487-1750 or check their website at www.paam.org to keep up with all the events at PAAM.  Admission is $7 with free admission on Friday evenings. PAAM members and children 12 and under are always admitted free of charge.

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