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that would have strayed further away from emphasis on visual aesthetics and ventured into the world of identity, and political issues.
Some may wonder why I would give the award of “Best in Show” to the piece by Ellen Mason. Here is a rather humble and softly stated work that certainly does not cry out for attention, but like an individual who speaks quietly and “demands” your attention, this work caught my eye on the first round of viewing the exhibition. I realized that the artist may not have intended it, but I was at once reminded of the synchronized flight and swimming of birds and fish when they have joined together and exhibit the behavior of a single animal. Ellen Mason’s drawing opened me to the realization that this common activity in nature, may in its essence, point to a very profound concept - the kind that one might spend a lifetime pursuing.
I must confess that just minutes after giving out the awards I began to have some reservations about my decisions. But that is the nature of the beast (the juror‘s process) - as time passes I will conclude that I overlooked some very strong pieces because of some mistake in my reading - because of the difficulty of understanding anything that is truly novel.
Tom Nakashima received an M.F.A. in 1967 from the University of Notre Dame. He taught at the Catholic University of America, and exhibited at Henri Gallery and Anton Gallery in Wash DC. From 1991-2002 he exhibited at Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in NY. Tom is Emeritus Professor at the Catholic University of America and Morris Eminent Scholar Emeritus at Augusta State University. His work is in permanent collections of over 50 public collections including Smithsonian American Art Museum, Mint Museum, Ogden Museum, Muscarelle Museum, and Hermitage Museum, Russia. His numerous awards include: Joan Mitchell Foundation Fellowship, Mayor's Award for Excellence in Artistic Discipline, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Printmaking Fellowship, Rutgers Center. His work was reviewed in hundreds of publications internationally, including Art Forum, Art in America, Art News, New Art Examiner, Art Papers, Wash. Post, and NY Nichibei. Over his 45 years of exhibiting, his works Range from abstract through representational, and his paintings are expressionistic monolithic images, addressing social and environmental issues.
Tom Nakashima, Stewart's Sticks, 9 feet x 24 feet
Newspaper, newsprint, chalkline and ink dyed newsprint on canvas
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