‘Eight Artists: An Invitational’ in the Atrium features a wide range of local artists

“Eight Artists: An Invitational,” a group exhibition at the gallery in the Atrium, 201 E. Washington St., is a wide-open show featuring a range of work by local artists. Indeed, it displays abstract paintings, sculptures, pieces incorporating spray paint, illustrations created with India ink and watercolor, and more.

The exhibit presents several acrylics by Ben Coir. “Think,” for example, has an interesting but amorphous shape in the middle of the canvas accompanied by a circle and triangle.

In addition, Jillian Hagadorn has three portraits in the show. “May 11, 2021,” a straight-up portrait, depicts a female subject who presses her hands against her head.

“Letters Never Sent,” meanwhile, is larger, more expansive as it portrays a living-room scene. A woman, seen in a small image, sits while hand-written letters fly about the room. The work strongly suggests a mood of frustration, of thoughts not expressed and issues not resolved.

There are several mixed-media works by Rachel Anderson which document her interest in shapes, colors and use of discarded items. “Detritus” combines green and purple colors, recycled newsprint, and other elements. A second mixed-media piece has a rough surface on canvas, communicating a sense of geology, of tectonics.

“Eight Artists” also provides exposure for S. Quinn’s illustrations, many of which convey a sense of people and place. “Early Morning Magic,” created with India ink, depicts a tower and urban square while “The Alley,” a fine work, focuses on another urban scene. It was done with ink, pen and watercolor.

Perhaps the best of the illustrations references what looks like the Grand Canyon. It’s an imaginative artwork featuring not only a canyon but also blimps and calligraphy.

And the show displays several pieces by Anthony “Tonewash” Washington who clearly knows his way around galleries. For years, he’s helped to install exhibitions at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) and other venues.

In the current show, he’s participating as an artist with multiple interests– painting, photography and creating murals. “Authentic,” his mixed-media piece, blends white paint, a background made up of a recycled sign, an image depicting a small figure in winter, and other motifs.

Washington, it should be noted, is taking part in two exhibitions this summer. In addition to the Atrium show, his solo exhibit, “People, Please,” which encompasses an array of his photographs and mixed-media works, is on display at CFAC.

Wanda-Marie Mahani Rana has a selection of her photos in the Atrium show. These include images presented in a family-album format and snapshots; some of the photos are embellished. Rana is interested in themes of family, identity and memory.

And the exhibition presents work by Tyrone Johnson-Neuland who creates expressionistic pieces with acrylic and aerosol on canvas. “Liberty v.s. Democracy,” one of several paintings from a series discussing democracy, is big, bold and imaginative. It includes imagery of the Statue of Liberty and individual faces, as well as stars and red and blue colors.

Johnson-Neuland also created a work whose title is “Coltrane.” This painting doesn’t show the famed jazz musician playing in a nightclub, and it certainly doesn’t provide a portrait. Instead, it depicts a figure  who springs from the artist’s vision.

Finally, the exhibit displays Mary Stanley’s “Cathedral of the Civic Arts,” a series of eight ceramic installations which contemplate how our society is organized and how it might be possible to enhance respect for all citizens, economic equality and our willingness to address issues such as the legacy of slavery.

Among other things, the installations demonstrate Stanley’s ability to create noteworthy sculptures such as “Which Witch,” with its portrayal of a female figure, or “Paper Trail Hate” which references significant books and documents. In addition, “The People Can Fly,” a set of three sculptures, offers powerful commentary on the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

“Eight Artists: An Invitational” is on display through July 28 at the Atrium which is located near Hanover Square in downtown Syracuse. The gallery is open from noon to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, and the venue is open to the public.

CNY Arts organized the exhibit and has developed programming in conjunction with it. On June 21, there was a pop-up show presenting work by Liz Pritchard, a local painter and poet.

For more information, call CNY Arts at 315-435-2155.