23rd Annual

Presented by the Friends of the Florence Museum

November 14th – December 18th, 2011

I consider it an honor and privilege to have been asked to select work for the Florence Museum’s 23rd Annual Miniature Art Competition. The high quality of the works submitted to the show made my task difficult, but at the same time enjoyable. Without the benefit of knowing the artist, the full intent of the work, or the context or ideas that inform the artis decision, as a judge, all I can do is rely on my eye and curatorial experience to select works that are, in my opinion, the most compelling and which deserve closer examination. The award winners are simply those pieces that I felt were particularly well conceived and executed. These exceptional works demonstrate a high level of quality and ambition.

As is true of most judged competitions, the styles and themes of the works on display in the year’s exhibition run the gamut. However, what seems to unite them all, in my opinion is a sense of sincere engagement with the world we live in today. Some artists seem to be responding the political and social issues of our times, others look to the body and how it is represented through history or mass media, and still others delve into the realm of abstraction as a way of expressing emotion and meaning. Many address these issues directly, while others veil their works in fantasy, fiction, or historical reference. Together, these works speak volumes about who we are as a society and culture. At the same time, these works also demonstrate a keen understanding of formal issues, including the use of light, color, and composition.

Such an undertaking as this exhibition would not have been possible without the organizational skills and assistance of the administrative staff of the Florence Museum. Stephen Motte was especially helpful and supportive at every turn and made the experience of selecting this exhibition a very memorable and enjoyable experience.

Frank McCauley

Curator
Sumter Gallery of Art