12/15-1/19 | Haven Gallery | Northport, NY

Trio of Shows

On December 15, Haven Gallery will open three solo exhibitions in its Northport, New York, gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. that highlight the work of Kelsey Beckett, Craww and Amy Minchew. The exhibitions are on view through January 19 and they will feature new works in the three artists’ signature styles. Beckett’s exhibition, titled Contrast, takes a deeper look at archetypes, stereotypes or negative associations imposed upon women. She elaborates, “Some are positive correlations, others are negative and harmful—and some are deeply personal. A lot of judgements are placed on women, whether they want them or not. It can be difficult to deal with these assigned roles when your own idea of self-contrasts with how others brand you.”

Amy Minchew, Reclaiming, oil on cradled panel, 16 x 20”

Kelsey Beckett, Luscious and Venomous, oil on linen, 24 x 30”

In her painting Luscious and Venomous, Beckett paints her version of the femme fatale and compares it to that of a male artist’s gaze. “Women within the male gaze of femme fatale were often seen as delighting in their evil ways, or finding their power through the destruction and seduction of men,” Beckett shares. “Luscious and Venomonous displays the usual cast gaze, sultry expression and lush surroundings that come with the theme, as well as a lurking mood of ill intent.”

When working on new pieces, Craww often finds his way as the work progresses. His graphite drawings are usually stories that draw themselves, and as he worked on his newest body of work for the show, titled Swords, he found himself “working around the idea of facing conflict and change and finding strength through the adoption of signs and rituals.”

These ideas come alive in his work Sacred Practices, as well as others in the show. In describing the series, he says, “Uniforms feature heavily throughout the work. As well as the themes of ambiguity that I enjoy working with, their formality hints at an inner strength while at the same time complementing the elegance of the figures. Their ornate decorations, flourishes and details provide an aesthetic that links perfectly to the natural surroundings that creates the stage where a lot of my narratives take place. The swords grew from that expression, being almost ceremonial in nature, they symbolize power and protection, as well as projecting the strength and courage that is at the heart of my muses.”

Kelsey Beckett, Flustered, oil on canvas, 20 x 24”

Craww, Sacred Practices, graphite Fabriano paper, 30 x 22”

The show Requite, featuring the works of Minchew, is an exploration of nature fighting back against humanity. “When I decided upon this theme I knew right away where I wanted to take my reference images, which happened to be the home my Grandparents built many, many years ago. My grandmother passed away a couple of years back and the property her home is on is much more valuable than the house itself, so it has more or less been abandoned while the property is on the market. I go by to visit as often as I can, and I am in awe with how nature reclaimed 40-plus years of architecture and manipulated land, but only in a fraction of that time. It fascinates me to see man-made structures ‘taken back’ when forsaken by humans, and it gives me hope that this beautiful planet might have a chance of outlasting our damage and neglect after all.”

The first painting Minchew had in mind for the exhibition was Reclaiming, which is the largest and most detailed work for the show. “Mother Nature can be so aggressive, but sometimes she conquers in a lovely manner that is seemingly gentle, which is what I wanted to express in this piece,” Minchew explains. “Outwardly, is it an exquisite sight to see, but below the surface is horror and putrefaction.”

Haven Gallery 155 Main Street • Northport, NY 11768 • (631) 757-0500 • www.havenartgallery.com