By Chéye Roberson
Sentinel Correspondent
The 35th annual Bruce Museum Outdoor Art Festival did not disappoint as artists of various backgrounds and nationalities set up their booths to display vivid paintings, winding sculptures, and provocative photographs.
“There can be no doubt that this was the finest group of artists we have ever had exhibiting in 35 years,” said Sue Brown, the Bruce Museum festival director. “This weekend the museum grounds were transformed into 85 mini galleries. Each one was unique and outstanding in quality and originality.”
The event was held last Saturday and Sunday. Patrons in attendance remarked on the pleasures of strolling by several visually stunning art galleries.
“The art is spectacular. I come to this show every year—the one in May too. The art here is some of the most beautiful art I’ve seen at shows in Connecticut,” said J.C. Martin. “It’s like being able to walk through 50 art galleries. It’s like cruising through Soho.”
The show impressed people of all ages. Misha Shteingart, eight years old, said his favorite painting was called “Galloping Pace” by artist Zu Sheng Yu from Huntington, N.Y.
The painting features a pensive, traditionally dressed Chinese princess adorned in glistening silver, standing next to a white horse.
“She’s looking at the place that she just left,” said Shteingart.
Helen Yu, Zu Sheng Yu’s wife, said the painting and much of her husband’s other work comments on the clash between traditional minority cultures of China and the modernized cities bustling with industry.
“China has a lot of minorities. They are more traditional in the mountains. Their lives are getting changed,” said Yu. “She’s dreaming. Dreaming the future.”
Yu said that in the painting the horse represents the woman’s heartbeat as she dreams.
“Her heartbeat is running,” said Yu.
Much of her husband’s work expresses imagery of traditional life as “very pure” while contemporary life is expressed as pollution—as a smudge in the presence of something more ancient and beautiful.
“Art is emotion. It is inside not outside. Outside is technique. The personality is inside,” said Yu. “Outside you’re just a painter, but art expresses emotion. It has to have movement.”
“It’s all so very different,” said Alex Virvo, a patron in attendance. “Like [Pennsylvania-based painter] Mark Brown with the organs, and that guy from Nigeria [painter Rahmon Olugunna]. There’s great photography and mixed media. Every second or third booth has fabulous stuff—real high-end.”
One of the collections that caught Virvo’s eye was the work of painter Julia Gilmore, who was given a second prize in painting.
“It’s very bold. I like bold art. I’m also attracted to very vibrant colors,” said Virvo.
Gilmore who used a lot of strong colors to create images of exaggerated telephones, coffee cans, candied apples, and table settings. She said she finds inspiration in everything around her.
“The world is a beautiful place, even a garbage can, can be beautiful if you look at it the right way,” said Gilmore, who lives outside Toronto.
Sue Brown said that because of the talent the show attracts, the outdoor festivals are not your typical art show.
“They are in a league of their own and rank at the top of the list of art shows nationally. As such, we have attracted the very best artists to participate,” said Brown. “We truly appreciate this opportunity to host this fine event at the Bruce Museum. The artists are vital to our success in creating one of the most popular happenings at the museum.”
Next year, while the Bruce Museum undergoes renovations, the outdoor festival will be temporarily relocated to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.
