Long interested in breaking down the traditional barriers of art making, Blair spent many years exploring the possibilities of unstretched, folded and hanging canvas, unrestrained by limitations of a frame. Blair’s trademark works of the 1970s-90s were canvas cloaks, teepees, and books. Blurring the line between 2D and 3D, these theatrical works reference her love of sculpture.
Fe29 is delighted to bring you Metamorphosis, a selection of Blair’s prized canvas cloaks and books from the 1980s and 1990s, including several cloak paintings created in the early 1980s and exhibited at the Shippee Gallery, New York in 1984 as part of New Zealand Art in America. The event, sponsored by The New Zealand – United States Arts Foundation, was curated by Mary Evangelista and timed to coincide with the opening of Te Maori, a watershed exhibition of Māori art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC.
In all there were 17 New Zealand artists included in the event, showing in 14 galleries throughout New York City. These included Len Lye, Billy Apply Ralph Hotere and Gretchen Albrecht to name just a few.
We hope you enjoy the show!
Cecilia & Megan Mickelsen