Sol LeWitt’s StudioPast, Present and
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Sol in his studio, Montgomery St., New York 1961. Credit, LeWitt Estate/New York Times
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Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) was an American artist widely recognized as a leading figure in the development of Minimal and Conceptual art during the mid-20th century. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, LeWitt's innovative and influential contributions to the art world have left an enduring legacy. His work often featured geometric shapes and simple forms, exploring the relationships between color, shape, and space.
One of LeWitt's defining characteristics was his commitment to the idea that art could be conceived as a set of instructions rather than a physical object. This concept is evident in his renowned "Wall Drawings," a series of large-scale, site-specific artworks where LeWitt provided detailed instructions for their creation, allowing different individuals or teams to execute the work. This approach challenged traditional notions of authorship and emphasized the importance of the conceptual framework behind an artwork.
Sol LeWitt's influence extends beyond his artistic output; he was also a prolific writer, and his ideas on art and creativity continue to resonate in contemporary discussions. Through his dedication to conceptual art and his exploration of systematic processes, Sol LeWitt made a lasting impact on the trajectory of modern and contemporary art.
Professor David Areford on Sol LeWitt
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Sol LeWitt: Irrational Thoughts
David Areford in conversation with James Barron - November 2023 Duration 1hr 6min David S. Areford is a professor of art history at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Sol LeWitt: Irrational Thoughts On view at James Barron Art by appointment South Kent, CT |
Irene Barberis - residencies 2019 - 2022 - 2024
Irene Barberis, in the studio circa 2022. Credit Irene Barberis
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Sol LeWitt Studio Residencies
2019
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2022
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Irene Barberis - short Bio 2024
Born in London, Australian/British based artist Irene Barberis has been exhibiting since the mid- seventies and internationally since 1980.
Irene studied Classical Ballet from the age of 3 shifting her focus to the Visual Arts at 19 because of injury. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Phillip Institute of Technology, Melbourne in 1975, a Post Graduate Diploma from the VCA, Melbourne University in 1978, a Master of Fine Art from VCA, Melbourne University in 1994, and a PhD from Victoria University in 2000. In 2023 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at DJCAD. University of Dundee. Irene has had a tenured position at RMIT University Melbourne since 2004 and was the first female to work in the RMIT international Hong Kong Art School program which she participated in for 17 years.
She works as Artist, Director, Curator and Academic and is continually active in many countries.
An ongoing interest in the history of ideas, faith and the female has fuelled much of her research. Her doctorate for the millennial crossover explored Abstract and Figurative Elements of the Apocalypse and it’s Representations throughout history and continues to be a rich and virtual source of inspiration. Minimal and conceptual systems and structures undergird her practice. Known for her provocative high- chroma works and installations utilising cutting edge materials, she is a painter, installation and new media artist working also with performative drawing and spatial kinesthetics. Many of her exhibitions identify symbolic and material expressions as a cultural lens through which to view social and political forces, encapsulating in part the notion of drawing and painting as a flux – a network of transactions and knowledge flows; an organically growing and poetic tectonic.
Inventing, making, curating and initiating projects and platforms around the globe, Barberis’ projects span countries and borders and include major international exhibitions and projects in Europe, UK, USA the Middle East and the Far East, often incorporating smaller more intimate intercultural dialogues and exchanges within the international University system.
Her latest major projects include art and science. The Tapestry of Light (2016/17) is a 36 x 3.2mt jacquard tapestry of the Apocalypse; the only known full cycle of the Apocalypse in tapestry form by a female artist. Barberis worked with scientist D.E. Mainwaring who developed a new Nanoparticle phosphorescent thread which was incorporated into the weaving, allowing layers of imagery and structures within the narrative to be visible separately at various times. The same science is utilised in her new work, The LeWitt Tapestries which are projected to be completed and exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Italy together with The Tapestry of Light.
The LeWitt/Barberis Project, explores the 33-year friendship between Sol LeWitt and Irene Barberis from 1974, and his influence on her work. These influences are investigated on location in each of his three studios, the Chester studio in the USA, the Mahler LeWitt studios and the Praiano studio in Italy. An ongoing series of solo and curated international group exhibitions, catalogues, together with a two- volume publication and series of Metasenta small books, document the results and new research.
Concentric Influences of Sol Le Witt: Foundations Pivots and Place. Ten Countries, 2022 – 2026 was conceived by Barberis in 2019. It is an internationally recognised Research Project by Barberis, investigating the breadth and depth of influence LeWitt had /has on vast amounts of international artists across in ten countries. She has been awarded an Honorary Research Fellowship at DJCAD, University of Dundee to work on the LeWitt Project, UK, and is currently working across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australasia
Selected Projects: The LeWitt/Barberis Project (2019-2026), The Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination/a 21st Century Apocalypse (1998-2025), Intersections: Reading the Space; three artists - Jewish, Muslim, Christian, (2001-2006) Metasenta® Projects (all ongoing): The Global Centre for Drawing, international exhibitions and projects ( 2010-), Artists in Leadership (global dialogue 2009-), Across the Gulf (Middle East, exhibitions and exchanges 2008-), Moving Cultures (exhibitions and exchanges Tibet/China 2009-), Gallery Langford120 (exhibitions and projects, Australia, 2011-).
www.irenebarberis.net
www.tapestryoflightproject.com
www.metasenta.com
www.globalcentrefordrawing.com
www.langford120.com.au
Born in London, Australian/British based artist Irene Barberis has been exhibiting since the mid- seventies and internationally since 1980.
Irene studied Classical Ballet from the age of 3 shifting her focus to the Visual Arts at 19 because of injury. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Phillip Institute of Technology, Melbourne in 1975, a Post Graduate Diploma from the VCA, Melbourne University in 1978, a Master of Fine Art from VCA, Melbourne University in 1994, and a PhD from Victoria University in 2000. In 2023 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at DJCAD. University of Dundee. Irene has had a tenured position at RMIT University Melbourne since 2004 and was the first female to work in the RMIT international Hong Kong Art School program which she participated in for 17 years.
She works as Artist, Director, Curator and Academic and is continually active in many countries.
An ongoing interest in the history of ideas, faith and the female has fuelled much of her research. Her doctorate for the millennial crossover explored Abstract and Figurative Elements of the Apocalypse and it’s Representations throughout history and continues to be a rich and virtual source of inspiration. Minimal and conceptual systems and structures undergird her practice. Known for her provocative high- chroma works and installations utilising cutting edge materials, she is a painter, installation and new media artist working also with performative drawing and spatial kinesthetics. Many of her exhibitions identify symbolic and material expressions as a cultural lens through which to view social and political forces, encapsulating in part the notion of drawing and painting as a flux – a network of transactions and knowledge flows; an organically growing and poetic tectonic.
Inventing, making, curating and initiating projects and platforms around the globe, Barberis’ projects span countries and borders and include major international exhibitions and projects in Europe, UK, USA the Middle East and the Far East, often incorporating smaller more intimate intercultural dialogues and exchanges within the international University system.
Her latest major projects include art and science. The Tapestry of Light (2016/17) is a 36 x 3.2mt jacquard tapestry of the Apocalypse; the only known full cycle of the Apocalypse in tapestry form by a female artist. Barberis worked with scientist D.E. Mainwaring who developed a new Nanoparticle phosphorescent thread which was incorporated into the weaving, allowing layers of imagery and structures within the narrative to be visible separately at various times. The same science is utilised in her new work, The LeWitt Tapestries which are projected to be completed and exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Italy together with The Tapestry of Light.
The LeWitt/Barberis Project, explores the 33-year friendship between Sol LeWitt and Irene Barberis from 1974, and his influence on her work. These influences are investigated on location in each of his three studios, the Chester studio in the USA, the Mahler LeWitt studios and the Praiano studio in Italy. An ongoing series of solo and curated international group exhibitions, catalogues, together with a two- volume publication and series of Metasenta small books, document the results and new research.
Concentric Influences of Sol Le Witt: Foundations Pivots and Place. Ten Countries, 2022 – 2026 was conceived by Barberis in 2019. It is an internationally recognised Research Project by Barberis, investigating the breadth and depth of influence LeWitt had /has on vast amounts of international artists across in ten countries. She has been awarded an Honorary Research Fellowship at DJCAD, University of Dundee to work on the LeWitt Project, UK, and is currently working across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australasia
Selected Projects: The LeWitt/Barberis Project (2019-2026), The Tapestry of Light: Intersections of Illumination/a 21st Century Apocalypse (1998-2025), Intersections: Reading the Space; three artists - Jewish, Muslim, Christian, (2001-2006) Metasenta® Projects (all ongoing): The Global Centre for Drawing, international exhibitions and projects ( 2010-), Artists in Leadership (global dialogue 2009-), Across the Gulf (Middle East, exhibitions and exchanges 2008-), Moving Cultures (exhibitions and exchanges Tibet/China 2009-), Gallery Langford120 (exhibitions and projects, Australia, 2011-).
www.irenebarberis.net
www.tapestryoflightproject.com
www.metasenta.com
www.globalcentrefordrawing.com
www.langford120.com.au