Works By:
Michele Provost
Stephen Remick
Ray Sauer

March 10 – April 6, 2005

Forces of Nature Tales of Remembrance brings together the works of Michele Provost, Stephen Remick, and Ray Sauer. We cannot escape the fact that we are surrounded by the landscape; our experiences shaped by our encounters with it (either as a passive observer or conscious manipulator). Although the fleeting image of a landscape can evoke a sense of innocence or tranquility, most of our encounters with the landscape are much more complex and can leave indelible marks upon it or upon us; marks that can be tangible or psychological. Natural phenomena such as earthquakes can tear apart the topography; landscapes can be ravaged and permanently altered by storms. Hallowed ground could look like any other place - Civil War battlefields become parking lots for strip malls or large parks where one can picnic. Messy, primitive, tangled, or familiar and comforting places, the investigation of landscape is integral for each of the artists in this exhibition.

Of her work, Michele Provost writes, “The reference point of this body of work is common, ever present shrubbery. Visually, we’re confronted by an accumulation of intertwined lines creating a mass which inhabits and defines space; by an obstacle which obscures our view. Upon closer inspection, this same obstacle reveals an intricate structure and affords glimpses of a deeper space and of what lies beyond. Zooming along through our worlds we scarcely notice these common denominators that determine our surroundings making us feel alien or at home.”

Provost was educated at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Recent solo exhibitions include Don’t Look Back, Krause Gallery, Providence, RI, 2004; Recent Work, Lenore Gray Gallery, Providence, RI, 2004. Group exhibitions include Surface and Space, Drawing Invitational Group Show, Hunt-Cavanagh Gallery, Providence College, Providence, RI, 2002; Art Providence, Convergence, Providence, RI, 2001. She lives in Providence.

Stephen Remick states, “I work mainly from the landscape. Earlier paintings were more direct and representational. Lately, the work has evolved to a more abstracted, emotional level. Lately, I have tried to eliminate the unnecessary and concentrate on the more important elements. Forms and colors derived from land and open air have taken on characteristics and relationships with each other, mirroring human relations and states of mind. My goal is for this work to fit into the history of art with a contribution that others recognize and from which are able to advance.”

Remick holds a BFA in painting from Swain School of Design and an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Architectural and Building Engineering from Vermont Technical College. Recent exhibitions include Artworks!, New Bedford, MA, 2003; Gallery X, New Bedford, MA, 2003; Nonquitt Art Show, Nonquitt, MA, 2000. He was an Artist in Residence at ArtWorks! during 2000-2002. He resides in New Bedford, MA.

Of his work Ray Sauer writes, “My work has evolved into pieces which emphasize negative spaces with seemingly architectural characteristics such as closure and security, without the actual physical constructs normally used for those purposes, while attempting to evoke feelings of peacefulness and order. The current work, while building on the forms and shapes as the progression of all my former work, is partially inspired by images of primitive and prehistoric animal forms and geological formations, both natural and manmade.”

Sauer received a BFA in sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI and holds an MFA in sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. He also has a BS in Mathematics from University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. Recent exhibitions include 48th Regional Juried Show, Mystic Art Museum, Mystic, CT, 2004; 10 Visions 10 years, Attleboro Museum, 2004; Small Works, Imago Gallery, Warren, RI, 2004; and Open Juried Show, Helm House, Kingston, RI, 2004. He resides in Seekonk, MA.