Barbara Harder show opens Saturday at City Gallery

City Gallery
994 State St., New Haven, (203) 782-2489
Barbara Harder: J Topog Continuum
Oct. 22—Nov. 15, 2009.
Opening reception: Sat., Oct. 24, 3—6:30 p.m.

Press release

City Gallery is presenting J Topog Continuum, a mixed media exhibition by artist Barbara Harder, from Oct. 22—Nov. 15, 2009. The Opening Reception is Saturday, Oct. 24 from 3—6:30 PM.

Based on observations of natural and man-made objects, Barbara Harder's artwork reflects her Irish Catholic upbringing married with a respect for the Asian sensibility. Using the image of a Tokyo tree and through the process of printmaking, Ms. Harder transforms the images onto paper, wood panels and veneers, and the tree is reconstructed into a new life. Some trees make there way across an old Concordia of the Bible to reflect her heritage, while others are printed onto layers of translucent, billowing paper that provide a interesting juxtaposition with the strong, angular wood reliefs. This installation of the disparate, yet related imagery, offers both a sense of serenity and of energy, inviting the viewer to explore the similarity of forms yet also to peek through layers to see exciting new spaces.

Barbara Harder teaches at Quinnipiac University and at Creative Arts Workshop, where she heads of the Printmaking Department. She has been a guest artist at the Yale University Art Gallery, Fairfield University, Connecticut College and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking as well as a curator of numerous printmaking exhibitions. Her artwork is held in private, corporation and museum collections throughout the country and she exhibits internationally.