New Bedford Art Museum 'Aberration' opens through Oct. 27

Oct 21, 2024

NEW BEDFORD -- The New Bedford Art Museum’s newest exhibit titled “Aberration” offers visitors a unique and thought-provoking experience featuring the relationship between maritime industry and the concept of beauty. The exhibit runs through Oct. 27.

"While viewing my sculptures, it's sometimes difficult to see that the core material used was considered waste. Retired tugboat towing rope, construction culls, iron rod, and stainless steel shackles all headed for an end of life disposal," said artist Alex Buchanan, a former mariner turned sculptor.

"By taking these materials in that exact state of dismissal and organizing them into patterns, I ask you to look again and determine whether what we are viewing should have even been considered a discard.

Buchanan’s sculptures, ranging from monumental knots to playful pop culture references, are created using materials such as retired tugboat towing rope, construction culls, iron rod and stainless steel shackles.

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These materials, often seen as waste in the maritime industry, are transformed into visually stunning and technically impressive pieces of art.

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"I believe the ropes I chose that were replaced by the maritime industry, are being done so at their richest aesthetic stage, and have only just begun their journeys as a peak grade textile," he added.

Through his work, Buchanan challenges viewers to see the beauty and potential in “discarded” materials, highlighting the issue of overconsumption and the importance of reusing and repurposing. His sculptures also pay homage to the hard-working individuals in the maritime industry, as well as the environmental impact of various industrial processes.

One of the key themes in the exhibit is the concept of the “patina of time.” Buchanan’s use of materials that have been worn and aged by their past use reflects the Japanese concept of sabi, which celebrates the beauty of things that have been marked by time and experience.

"Part of our mission at the Art Museum is to support local artists. Buchanan's work besides being visually captivating reflects aspects of our regional culture and encourages us to consider a variety of environmental issues. His work is timely and for all times," said Suzanne de Veigh, executive director.

According to Buchanan, this adds a deeper layer of meaning to the sculptures, inviting viewers to contemplate the journey of the materials and their inherent beauty.

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"Patinas from stress and wear of the industrious nature act as scribed tales about the material's life and environment," he said.

"The ethnographic qualities of field-related knots amplify forms reminiscent of braided hair, dimity patterns, and stitching found in marine culture on land. This offers additional delicate and refined perspectives and acts as an important alkalizer to the harsh problems we know as piles of plastic."

Buchanan’s art also addresses larger societal issues, such as our throwaway culture and the environmental impact of industrialization. His sculptural forms act as environmental emblems, subtly reminding viewers to reconsider our behaviors related to consumption and reuse.

Additionally, Buchanan’s work is influenced by a wide range of sources, spanning from ancient Incan recording devices to contemporary artists such as Eva Hesse and Christo.

According to curator Suzanne de Vegh, this eclectic mix of inspiration adds layers of depth and dimension to his creations, evoking a sense of awe and emotional resonance in viewers.

Through “Aberration” Buchanan invites viewers to see the world in a new light and to appreciate the beauty in unexpected places. His sculptures challenge our perceptions and celebrate the potential for transformation and revitalization in our surroundings.

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Find out more about him at sethchitwood.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.