In this international call for entries, the Cape Cod Museum of Art asked artists to submit artworks that exemplify a moment of departure from conventional norms and styles in the larger world of art or departure from the artist’s own personal practices and methods of creating.

 

An unprecedented 347 artists submitted a total of 520 artworks for this competition! Submissions came from 35 U.S. states and 7 countries: Canada, England, Spain, Denmark, India, China and Latvia. Only 53 artworks were selected for this exhibition, including 11 sculptures, 40 2-dimensional works and 2 videos.

 

A note from the juror:

At first what appeared as a daunting task - to select 55 artworks from 520 submissions for a museum group show - soon became an intriguing mandate. I discovered there were parallel ideas and images generated by the subject of DEPARTURES - as if the collective unconscious arrived at similar ideas and themes, simultaneously. Since I was not familiar with all the individual artists' previous work, and how it related to a departure in their new work, I focused on the work which best exemplified the notion of Departure - in terms of innovation, striking imagery, unusual palette or fresh technique, the leaps and bounds of individual artistic expression. The results I hope provide for a visually stimulating show, initiating conversations about Departure between the artists, as well as the viewers. Special thanks to Benton Jones for inviting me for this project, and to all the artists who took the time and care to submit their work. Onwards and upwards!

- Nick Lawrence, Cape Cod and NYC
 

About Nick Lawrence

Artist, curator, gallery owner and founder of the DNA Artist Residency Program, Nick Lawrence divides his time between Cape Cod and New York City. His Freight + Volume Gallery in NYC has been in operation for 25 years and is dedicated to showcasing work that is innovative and not afraid to take risks. His READYMADE Gallery on Cape Cod serves as a showcase for artworks created in the DNA Artist Residency Program.

 

The DNA residency, now entering its 12th season, hosts 30-50 artists per year for one or two week stays.  While on the Cape, artists have access to 2,000 square feet of studio space in Provincetown, housing in Orleans and Eastham, and create new work inspired by their surroundings or continued from their existing studio practice.