Rochester based artist, Kurt Ketchum, has been making big moves in the Rochester art scene in recent years with his large public art installations, in addition to several gallery exhibits throughout the area. Most recently, his floor to ceiling wall mural inside the new Hampton Inn, adjacent to the Strong Museum, and his ‘Rolling Door’ exhibit at the new Mercantile on Main, has the Rochester NY community rethinking ways to incorporate art both inside public spaces, as well as outside on lonely walls and buildings.

‘Small Works’ invites you to take a closer, more intimate look into the intricate details that make-up the composition of this carefully curated body of work.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

There are many facets to the atmosphere created by Ketchum's paintings, some of which have a historical relationship to abstract expressionism through works by artists like Cy Twombly ( calligraphic scrawls on white grounds ) and also contemporary affiliations with artists like Wade Guyton ( who was featured in a show at the Whitney Museum recently ). The primary impression of the many paintings by Kurt Ketchum is one of fragmentation that skirts the limits of graphic design to function as a coherent form of communication. Ketchum's art opens the door to a poetry of the unexpected, and not only that - it builds a brand out of that concern. My guess is that this art can perform a commentary on our society - complexity viewed as bits and pieces - filled with energy and determination.

All artwork may be viewed by attending our classes, during the Opening and Closing Receptions on Friday, May 3rd and June 7th from 6-9pm, or by appointment. Please contact Exhibition Coordinator, Danielle Merrill with any questions or to make an appointment p: (585) 704-2889 email: numvmntcooperative@gmail.com