Of the Land, Sea and Sky
Two exhibitions at Rockland’s Farnsworth Art Museum feature Maine residents showcased in the places they call home. Lauren Shaw has photographed and mapped ten subjects and their communities in her installation, “Maine Women: Living on the Land.” Jamie Wyeth’s paintings document scenes of ravens and gulls familiar to him from the Maine coast in his exhibit, “Gulls, Ravens, and a Vulture: The Ornithological Paintings of James Wyeth.”
Shaw began her project nine years ago, when she met with women from across Maine who exemplified, for her, a profound connection to the place they live by the way they live.
The ten she chose to focus on represent a range of ages, locales and occupations. Three live on the coast. Raquel Boehmer of Monhegan Island has for many years foraged and grown food there, sharing her expertise in a book she authored, A Foraging Vacation.
Deb Soule of Rockport founded Avena Botanicals in 1985, and uses locally grown plants for herbal preparations. Jenny Cirone of South Addison lobstered for over 75 years and raised sheep on the islands of Nash and Little Nash. Other subjects include a potato farmer who is now a state Representative; the founder of Blessed Maine Herb Farms; an organic farmer who also raises goats and cattle; a blueberry farmer; the owner of a restaurant in Allagash whose family harvests timber and works as game and fishing guides; the producer of handcrafted butter for over 60 years; and the first female Micmac Tribal Chief.
This tribute to 21st century women who appreciate traditional ways of living with the land combines homage to the past with an eye to the future. The exhibit would be especially rewarding to share a look at with children, as it nicely introduces places, personalities and possibilities outside the purview of an urban or suburban landscape and lifestyle.
The ornithological work of Jamie Wyeth hangs in the Farnsworth’s Wyeth Center. Again, children would enjoy this show, with its opportunities for conjuring up a narrative for each image. Wyeth’s portraits — especially of gulls — are realistic and often humorous. The birds appear as scoundrels and scavengers, fighting over take-out and turf. And how much does that behavior remind us of humans? Wyeth’s paintings of ravens similarly inspire appreciation for a bird we may have considered unremarkable. We sense their tenacity and intelligence. His portraits of domesticated chickens, ducks and geese suggest the comfort of safe places. Nesting in baskets, tubs, and boxes, the birds look blissful, content.
This exhibit’s range of avian images is as instructive as it is entertaining. Each picture tells a story, with contexts both imaginative and detailed.
Wyeth’s bird paintings are on exhibit through Oct. 10; Shaw’s photographs of women through Nov. 13. There are accompanying catalogs. Bring the kids! For more information, check the Farnsworth’s website, www.farnsworthmuseum.org, or call 207.596.6457.
Tina Cohen writes from Old Harbor, Vinalhaven.