Twilight: 21 works by James Howell
Panel Discussion
Friday, September 20, 2024
6 - 8 PM
A conversation with
Laura Bardier, Executive Director, James Howell Foundation
Silvia Benedetti, Independent Curator
Alistair Rider, Professor, St. Andrews University
New York Studio School
8 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
Admission is free
Watch the recording of the panel discussion here.
Laura Bardier is a New York-based curator, writer, and executive. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the James Howell Foundation and is the Founding Director of the ESTE ARTE Cultural Summit & Art Fair. Since 2018, Bardier has led the James Howell Foundation, overseeing its incorporation and implementing a strategic plan that has successfully expanded access, awareness, and engagement with James Howell’s artistic practice. In February 2014, Bardier established ESTE ARTE, a platform that has significantly reshaped the art landscape of South America. She has written extensively about contemporary art in various publications and has curated several exhibitions. Bardier is actively involved in several professional organizations, serving as the Chair of Governance at ArtTable and as a board member for ICI - Independent Curators International and Creative Capital. She holds an MA in Curatorial Studies from Donau Universität in Austria and an undergraduate degree from Università degli Studi di Firenze in Italy.
Silvia Benedetti is a Venezuelan New York-based independent art historian, curator, and writer. She is a recipient of the 2023 Andy Warhol Foundation and Creative Capital Arts Writers Grant. Benedetti's research focuses on critically reassessing and contextualizing the work of peripheral creators within a global context, as well as exploring the intersection of artistic and social practices. In 2023, she curated the exhibition Dadas las circunstancias at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center in the Lower East Side and co-curated Ways of Seeing with Lindsay Aveilhé at The Gardiner Gallery of Art at Oklahoma State University. She has held curatorial and research positions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and Dia Art Foundation. Her writings have appeared in publications such as Hyperallergic, Artforum, and post: notes on art in a global context. Benedetti holds an MA in Art History and an Advanced Certificate in Curatorial Studies from Hunter College, and an undergraduate degree in Communications – Journalism from Universidad Monteávila in Caracas.
Alistair Rider is an Art History professor at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where he has been leading the undergraduate core course in the theory and methods of art interpretation for several years. His research primarily focuses on late modern art, with a particular emphasis on sculpture, abstraction, and environmental themes. Rider is the author of the first monograph on James Howell, published by Circa Press in 2021. This summer, he has been revising a long essay on ecocritical and environmental approaches in art history, while also writing an article on the sculptures of the German-Flemish artist Bernd Lohaus. Rider's next book, titled Ongoing: Notes on Long Term Art Projects, aims to compare different strategies that artists have adopted for structuring their careers and is expected to be completed in the coming years.
James Howell (1935-2014) was an American artist whose work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the country and internationally. His work is characterized by meticulous detail in exploring the gradations of light and shadow in color. Howell’s signature use of the color gray defined the last thirty years of his career, culminating in his Series 10. Inspired by the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Howell’s work draws from natural phenomena. His highly mathematical and philosophical process extends his work beyond the boundaries of the canvas. The application of differential geometry and the teachings of the Tao Te Ching have been as integral to his process as color theory and brushwork techniques. Howell’s pieces are part of numerous private and public collections, and he has received several awards and honors for his fine art and architectural achievements. He described his work as “a continuous exploration of the interplay between light and shadow, form and void.” This exhibition reflects Howell’s quest to capture the ephemeral beauty of our world. The relationship between nature, math, philosophy, and art in Howell’s practice creates a unique viewing experience.
The James Howell Foundation, established by D. Joy Howell and the James Howell estate in 2017 and directed by Laura Bardier, aims to perpetuate Howell’s legacy and provide access to his archives. This is accomplished through publications, exhibitions, and artwork donations. The Foundation also supports art professionals and artists, especially those who embrace Howell’s interdisciplinary spirit. For instance, the organization collaborates with nonprofits to offer opportunities for students in curatorial and art historical programs. Moreover, grants and donations are awarded to institutions that align with the Foundation’s mission.
The New York Studio School is dedicated to advancing the practice of contemporary art through rigorous education and public programming. The school provides an environment where artists can develop their skills and explore new artistic territories, fostering a vibrant community of creators and thinkers. The gallery is free and open to the public seven days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm.
This exhibition is organized by the James Howell Foundation and New York Studio School.
Twilight: 21 works by James Howell
curated by Silvia Benedetti
September 6 - October 20, 2024
10 AM - 6 PM
New York Studio School
8 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
Admission is free