OPEN THEME

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Juror: Ilene Skeen

Ilene Skeen is a native New Yorker, artist and business systems designer. She has degrees in fine art, art education, management, operations research and anthropology. After early retirement at age 56, she received a MA in anthropology from Hunter College with a concentration in the anthropology of art. She is founder and CEO of Barebrush.com, an international series of on-line art calendar contests, using her unique combination of skills and interests.

Exhibition Awards

*About the “Open Theme” exhibition, Ms. Skeen wrote:

In looking at the artwork for WCA SD, I will be interested in three things: artistic concept, skill and impact. I hope to see unusual and creative work consistently pushing the envelope which grabs, delights or otherwise pulls the emotional heartstrings.

Best in Show - to be the featured artist for 2 months here at www.zhibit.org /sdwcajuriedshow and sdwca.org

"Open Waters" Artist - Andrea Broyles

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: "This goes well with the open theme and what I am looking for. It shows a definite skill in a surreal conceptualized creepiness, and by keeping odd details to a minimum, the artist skillfully allows the viewers to supply their own explanation rather than enforce an explanation not realized in the painting."

• 1st Place - $100
"It's Alright" Artist - Eva Montealgre

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: This simple abstract has a strangely calming effect even though it is bright orange and red. The artist had a simple concept and executed it simply and pleasingly. Private comment: This strikes me as a very saleable piece, but it would also be interesting to make some large silkscreen prints of it, slightly smaller and more affordable.

• 2nd Place - $50
"Paranoia 3" Artist - Marydorsey Wanless

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: This piece is most terrifying of the series because the hand raises a question, but only closer inspection gives the horrifying non-answer. Not to reveal all of the story on the first blush, but to get it all out over time when we realize there is a face behind the fingers is very interesting. Instead of seeing the art at a glance and judging it immediately, one is obliged to look closely, ponder the action and wonder why the hand is raised. Thus one comes away with exactly the feeling the artist describes: one is looking at the unknowable.

• 3rd Place - $25

"Communion II-The Pope Sleeps" - Artist MC Carolyn

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: The concept here is interesting. The indifference of the Pope, the needs of his subjects, and the ornate environment. Although the presentation is skillful, the stained glass is visually the strongest element and seems to overwhelm both the pope and the victims. Private comment: If the artist continues to explore this subject on subsequent paintings, maybe there will be come to be a clearer visual and emotional relationship between the three elements. Ambitious but not fully realized.

• Honorable Mention
"Emergence" Artist-Maria LaPrade

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: The concept and the composition are interesting with an important theme.

• Honorable Mention
"Wild Geese" Artist-Cynthia Vascak

Juror, Ilene Skeen said about this piece: Skillful drawing

Additional comments from Juror, Ilene Skeen:
General comments: Open theme means to me that the artists have to work hard to find a worthy theme, a point of view and the visual impact they want to make. It is actually in some was harder than a set theme.

That being said, even abstractions must convey emotions directly to be art. It is not the job of the artist to tell us what to feel, but it is to confirm what we are felling. I find these dry mysterious recitations with strangely shaped objects and areas, and art without context or explanation not doing the job required under the circumstances.

Things going on here: does anyone know why?

Examples:

"Morning at Pierce College" and others similar.

"Nearly Spring" and others similar - Beautiful color, does not convey the emotion referenced: That Night

Thank you for asking me to select this show. It was a very difficult but satisfying experience.