From 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, the Hunterdon Art Museum invites the public to the opening of four new exhibitions and the unveiling of “Wild Ride” by Phillip Adams, a 90-foot mural constructed on its terrace wall bordering the river.
“Phillip Adams: Leave No Trace” delves into humanity’s intricate bond with nature, highlighting our impulses to both nurture and alter our natural surroundings. The works in this exhibition present a paradox – the human desire to leave a permanent mark juxtaposed against the pursuit of untouched, idyllic beauty. With overtones addressing the pressing climate crisis, Adams’ art balances the gravity of our rapidly changing environments with whimsical, playful elements.
“Marsha Goldberg & Andrew Zimmerman: Taking Shape” brings together Goldberg’s layered acrylic paintings on Yupo paper and Zimmerman’s painted wood sculptures, both artists exploring the dynamics of color, shape, and space. While both artists differ in their mediums and techniques, they converge in their exploration of form, color, and space, creating a harmonious dialogue between their pieces.
“Ahrong Kim: Over the Paper Plane” presents ceramic figurative sculptures that narrate a diary of emotions. Drawing from psychological observations, Kim’s works reveal an abstracted version of her inner self. The ceramic works, created with endurance and transformed by fire, embody the artist’s will and passion.
The annual “Members Exhibition” celebrates the diverse talents of HAM’s artist members. This year, the exhibition features works in various media, from photography and sculpture to printmaking and collage. João (Juno) Zago, artist and creative director at Gallery Aferro in Newark, juried this year’s exhibition, selecting 33 artists from over 100 entries. One of these artists will be chosen on Oct. 1 for a future solo exhibition at HAM.
Alongside the exhibition openings, the museum will mark its 70th anniversary with a festive celebration on the terrace. Starting at 2 p.m., attendees can enjoy live performances by the New Road Band, sip on unique cocktails from ArtBar, and savor mixed culture dishes from Ms. Fu’s Yummy Food Truck. Gallery talks with the exhibiting artists will also be part of the day’s offerings.
Adams’s mural, “Wild Ride,” draws inspiration from the South Branch of the Raritan River that flows behind the museum’s wall. It captures the essence of a river cascading naturally downstream, evoking memories of a time predating the mills and the man-made dam. It serves as a poignant reminder of humanity’s transformative impact on the environment and underscores our responsibilities in adapting to these changes.
Hunterdon Art Museum is located at 7 Lower Center St., Clinton, N.J. For information, see hunterdonartmuseum.org/visitor-information/.
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