You do not have to love Lovecraft to enjoy Ars Necronomica 2019: Dark Dreams in the Divine City the exhibit at the Providence Art Club. (This ties in with the upcoming Necronomicon convention.)
The newest incarnation of the Ars Necronomica exhibit reveals a tantalizing glimpse of upcoming creative talent, as well as rarely seen works by many established artists. Their work rises in unison in an array of phantasmagorical splendor to mirror and expand upon the already fantastic spires of Providence’s own skyline.
The subject matter in the show is inspired by all things fantastic and weird, not just H.P. Lovecraft and his work. A wide range of media has been deployed to make this a most entertaining show. Upstairs, on the second floor of the clubhouse, one finds work in pen and ink, scratchboard, pen on Bristol, cardboard cutouts, and woodcuts which have an old world look to them that feels right. A large soft sculpture hangs from the ceiling, and local comics artist Walker Mettling is here with a couple of painted banners in his inimitable style.
The show continues in the street level Dodge House Gallery where Caitlin McCormack has faux skeletons in shadow boxes made of crocheted cotton string, glue, steel pins, and velvet. And seen here is the charming (?!) cast resin Night Gaunt at Lovecraft’s Grave by Joe Broers which features the well-known headstone in Swan Point. Sculptor Gage Prentiss has a cabinet of his curiosities on display here. And we already wrote about his Lovecraft statue on display just out the door in the Art Club alcove. Several people were checking that out, and posing, while I was there.
Opening reception Thursday, August 22, from 6pm to 8pm.
August gallery hours: Monday-Friday 12-3pm, and by appointment.
Closed weekends during the month of August (open for Necronomicon attendees during the weekend of August 22-25.)
Ars Necronomica runs through August, Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street, (directions), 401.331.1114
I love these cardboard cutouts but somehow went home without the wall text data. I will try to correct this. That is a Mettling piece to the right.
Gorgeous woodcut prints tinted with minerals and gold by Liv Rainey-Smith.
Below is one of my favorites, Sarah Helen Whitman: The Woman Who brought Poe to Providence, artist Dave Felton on scratchboard. Those familiar with Poe’s failed courtship will recognize St. John’s Cathedral and its graveyard which are located behind Whitman’s Benefit Street home where Poe spotted her picking roses.
Thanks for the coverage…as YOU do, Beth!
Proud to showcase folks like Caitlin, FELTON, and Walker–who’s a Providence *treasure* (full props to the recently late lamented Ada Books where an Out Of Stater like me discovered his work)
“Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimaeras—dire stories of Celaeno and the Harpies—may reproduce themselves in the brain of superstition—but they were there before…”
Please come to the opening everybody–THEY’ll be waiting…