The Jamaica Plain Branch Library is pleased to continue their rotating art program, supported by The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library in partnership with Uforge. This fall, the library presents a solo exhibition of Boston artist Eli Portman.
Portman specializes in detailed, studied renderings of city- and landscapes in ink and watercolor, exploring what he describes as “the dissonance between perceived unique individual solitude in a crowded environment, and the commonness and sameness of such feelings.” Often drawn from his own photographs, his images of familiar Boston landmarks like the Boston Public Library and the Gardner Museum tap into shared experiences of those who live in or visit the city, while offering quiet, reflective interpretations of these environments. Soft washes of color and subtle effects of light are often paired with thin linework creating sketchy shadows or intricate details. As the artist states, “I manipulate the openness and tightness of visual spaces and interiors to reflect the claustrophobia of society's open spaces,” offering a view of urban architecture simultaneously personal and universal.
Eli Portman: A City in 7 Years is on view from September 2 through October 28, 2022, with a public reception to be held on September 8, 2022, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-2 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level.
Inquiries? www.eliportman.com
This exhibition is proudly sponsored by
The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.