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Castellani TopSpin Series presents Matthew Duquette's 'Vessels'

by jmaloni
Sat, Oct 8th 2011 07:00 am

Exhibit opens Oct. 9

The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University continues its TopSpin series with an exhibition of paintings by Buffalo-based artist Matthew Duquette. "Vessels" will open with a reception and artist talk on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Duquette describes his recent work as "inspired by my past, present and future physical and metaphysical experiences." Focusing on the nostalgia of childhood, his path to parenthood and the concept of transmigration of the soul, he "digs deep in the dark rooms of the mind and edits what most presumably is the climax of an event, dream or idea." Duquette's intention is to tell the complete story - with one striking, narrative image.

Through works featured in "Vessels," Duquette shares his introspections on the concept of containment. Vessels of containment are derived from reflections on three aspects of his life: travel, storage and biology.

In the 21st century, it is common for people to relocate numerous times throughout their lives. To Duquette, moving from place to place reinforces the spatial relativity of the physical landscape.

Duquette's works are filled with newspaper clippings, Post-It-Notes, handwritten letters, scrap sketches, and layered with acrylic and pencil on board. Quite often, each scrap of material is related to the concept and has a story of its own.  

"It's all about the gritty memories and experience that come with surviving life and, through the (artwork) construction, each piece allows for various levels of tactile and psychological meaning," Duquette says.

The TopSpin series of solo exhibitions by emerging regional artists is sponsored by Tops Friendly Markets. "Matthew Duquette: Vessels" runs through Jan. 15, 2012. For more information, contact Michael Beam, curator of collections and exhibitions, at 716-286-8286.

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