Winter All Members Exhibit

Our Common Humanity

Lynda Andrews-Barry · Gary Anthes · Lisa Battle · Cheryl Ann Bearss · Gordon Binder · Olivia Bruce · Bob Burgess · Kimberley Bursic · Amity Chan · Deborah Addison Coburn · Robert Cwiok · Jennifer Duncan · Suzanne Goldberg · Thierry Guillemin · Sabiha Iqbal · Lois Kampinsky · Micheline Klagsbrun · Jo Levine · Beverly Logan · Wayne Paige · Halley Stubis · Iza Thomas · Eleanor Wang

Curated by Lois Kampinsky and Sabiha Iqbal
Coordinated by Lynda Andrews-Barry

Featuring artworks selected from our historic cooperative of 50+ local artists

Wednesday, November 22nd through Saturday, December 16th, 2023

We face challenges on many levels, from environmental threats, to global conflicts. Only by remembering our common humanity can we heal the world and move toward joy.

In 2008, the American subprime mortgage crisis led to a severe economic recession in the US. Many people lost their jobs and homes, and it became common to find clusters of tents, especially in cities, where people lived. Over the next few years, tent cities began to crop up in middle-class suburban neighborhoods. I was inspired with a thematic concept on a routine trip to Target, where between the highway and parking lot stood a small enclave of makeshift tents. I began to paint these small communities out of curiosity. My respect for those caught in these difficult circumstances grew as I worked and observed the strength, resiliency, courage and fortitude of the people who managed to live on small parcels of land. The beauty of the colorful tarps and clothes lines particularly caught my imagination. The subject of this month’s exhibit “Our Common Humanity”, caused me to reflect on the series of paintings I made on the subject of poverty, and recognize again how we all need to feel a sense of community, safety, a place to be. -Jennifer Duncan

In order to remember our common humanity, we have to bridge the gaps – gaps of race, age, gender, class, culture – and see the likeness between our self and the “other”.

In many ways I strove for years to be very different from my mother. Yet when she was in her final years I would sit with her holding her hands and realizing how my hands had inevitably grown to resemble hers. -Micheline Klagsbrun

This painting is inspired by Ikiru, the classic film by Akira Kurosawa. It depicts a man pensively contemplating things that are worth fighting for, things that give joy that offsets the awfulness for which humanity is also responsible. -Iza Thomas

In a disquieting world, our common humanity highlights the shared experiences, emotions, and values that connect us all as human beings. I prefer to focus on our commonalities and a reliance on the accidental to foster a sense of unity with the human experience. -Bob Burgess

To me, this flower symbolizes a woman offering part of herself to help her children --  a universal path to perpetuating the human race. -Jo Levine

If a simple bowl of oranges can bring us joy, won’t it do the same for others?  And if it can, maybe we should all try to remember that fact instead of what we do not share.
-Lois Kampinsky

As humans we share a lot -- history, evolution, planet Earth.  We all depend on healthy, functioning natural systems for our livelihoods and our well-being.  Alas, we also have to confront the many disruptions and challenges, the crises, the chaos before us. 

Though our differences can prove divisive, especially in today’s polarized world, we do have some common interests that enrich and improve our lives.  What ties us together?   Family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, congregants, sports, holidays and celebrations, pets.  And we find solace in hobbies and other pursuits, in the arts, in nature, and more.  

My art derives from what I see around me.  These artworks draw on our common interest in the arts, music for sure, enjoying the outdoors, joining others to watch a parade that marks a special occasion.  For me, and others I hope, they offer potential for finding common ground, maybe even joy in these difficult days. -Gordon Binder

The Cherry Blossoms were a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan in 1912. The trees symbolize our shared humanity as we stive for a more peaceful world.
-Cheryl Ann Bearss

You need good leadership to achieve common humanity. -Al Lipton

In a disquieting world, our common humanity highlights the shared experiences, emotions, and values that connect us all as human beings. I prefer to focus on our commonalities and hope to foster a sense of unity in the human experience. -Bob Burgess

The submitted works uniquely contribute to the theme of "Our Common Humanity" by seamlessly intertwining my individual experiences with universal themes of resilience, expression, and cultural identity. "After-School Munchie – Sushi" and "After-School Munchie – Curry Fish Balls" offer a culinary journey, transcending cultural borders and demonstrating the common human joy derived from shared moments of indulgence. This connection becomes even more apparent when considering that while sushi originates from Japan, its popularity in Hong Kong showcases how certain elements of global culture become integral to our local experiences, ultimately highlighting the interconnectedness of our shared humanity.

At the same time, "Summer of Defiance - Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" delves into the realm of political activism, emphasizing the collective pursuit of freedom as intrinsic to the shared experience of Hong Kongers. The term "collective" here signifies not only my personal commitment but also represents the united efforts of Hong Kongers, weaving our shared aspirations for freedom into the broader tapestry of human struggles for justice. Together, these works illuminate the diverse expressions of human experiences, bridging cultural nuances and personal narratives, ultimately reflecting the common thread that binds us all as we navigate the challenges of our world.
-Amity Chan

“Humanity in art serves as a profound reflection of our collective experiences, emotions, and aspirations. It is a timeless expression that transcends cultural boundaries, connecting individuals through shared narratives and a universal language that captures the essence of the human condition. Art has the power to evoke empathy, provoke thought, and celebrate the diverse tapestry of human existence, making it a mirror to our past, a commentary on our present, and a canvas for imagining our future.” -Lynda Andrews-Barry

The Digital Age has brought upon us a binary kaleidoscope fog blanketing both perception and reality along with a device-driven technology that has gone well beyond its original purpose of improving lives.  I think of my artwork as not only beyond the fog, but also behind the curtain of technology, closer to the woods and fields and further from the machines and buildings.

Using archival ink on paper, I create mythical landscapes of hills, waterways, forests, and fields that also serve as settings for a variety of unforeseen events. Within these settings, featureless bipedal silhouettes resembling clothespins engage in a variety of activities. Creatures of the woodlands are often present. Together they can be seen flying, floating, hiding, and fleeing. Eventually, the narrative evolves to a predetermined outcome that focuses on conflict, dreams, humor, and the surrealistic nature of the times. -Wayne Paige