Hyperrealism exhibit draws hundreds
Artist Carole A. Fuerman’s work displayed at Medici
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HOWLAND -- Approximately 200 people gathered Friday evening at the Medici Museum of Art for a show by artist Carole A. Fuerman, titled "The Importance of Being Human."
"Monumental Quan," a large Hyperrealistic sculpture by Feuerman, was installed on the front lawn of the museum and unveiled during Friday's opening reception. Inside the museum, a retrospective covering the last 20 years of the artist's work was on display.
The internationally renowned artist meandered through the crowd speaking to guests and took the time to explain the meaning behind her work.
Fuerman is regarded as one of the founders of the Hyperrealism wave during the 1970s. It's an art genre that blends real-life photographs into Hyperrealistic paintings. Her style focuses on depicting swimmers and bathers.
Fuerman discussed her piece, "Survival of Serena," described by the artist as one of her most important pieces. It was inspired by her time living in Key West, Florida, during the 1970s and '80s.
Fuerman often saw Cuban asylum seekers fleeing from Fidel Castro's regime following the Cuban revolution. The asylum seekers washed ashore on rafts bonded together by inner tubes and driftwood. One day the woman depicted caught her eye, culminating in what is one Fuerman's most popular pieces.
It's one of several Hyperrealism sculptures that were on display Friday evening, but a variety of art mediums were on display to enjoy from prints, monographs, paintings and color pieces.
Among the crowd, some visitors traveled from as far north as New York and as far south as Texas.
One woman, Katie Steiner, a Cleveland native, didn't have to travel too far.
"I've never been here before but when I heard about the exhibition opening, I was excited to come check it out," Steiner said.
Steiner marveled over the details of Feuerman's "Next Summer" piece, which replicates a woman lying on an inner tube.
"I love the photo realness, it captures the closeness of the world. That was my interest in coming down here to see her work," Steiner said.
Museum director Katelyn Amendolara-Russo said she studied Feuerman, considered one of the founders of Hyperrealism, in college and saw her work at the Venice Biennale in Italy when she taught art in the Jackson-Milton School District. After becoming Medici director, she reached out to Feuerman and David Brown, her studio manager, about displaying one of her sculptures.
While details haven't been finalized, Medici's board hopes to make "Monumental Quan" a permanent addition to the museum.
Amendolara-Russo has seen much of Feurman's work being displayed in her travels abroad, creating a surreal feeling for her seeing them in the Medici.
"I'm dedicated as a director to bring phenomenal exhibitions to the area, to educate the public and build that appreciation for the arts," she said.
Feurman said she was excited to showcase her work in Howland.
"The people in this area are warm, the reception has been outstanding and lovely."
The display will at Medici until Feb. 1.