Linear Configurations: Ink, Paint, and Clay

Exhibition Dates: August 5 - September 2, 2023

Sandler Hudson Gallery is pleased to announce its upcoming group exhibition, Linear Configurations: Ink, Paint, and Clay. This exhibition features the work of Linda Armstrong (Atlanta), Betsy Cain (Savannah), and Michael Dickey (New York). The use of line — its composition and character plays an integral role in each of these artists’ work. It defines structure, suggests the figure and motion in challenging and unexpected ways.

Linda Armstrong’s practice focuses on the immediacy of drawing and visual clues from nature. After having spent over 50 years exploring the wilderness of Cumberland Island, Armstrong is inspired by her experiences there. This body of work focuses on the elegance and fluidity of line gleaned from examining and collecting shrimper nets. Armstrong is fascinated by the structural patterns formed by these objects, evoking memories that collide and reconnect.  

Betsy Cain’s Indigo series originates from living in the low country around Savannah for over 40 years. After seeing the film “Daughters of the Dust ” (Julie Dash,1991), Cain furthered her knowledge of the history of the indigo plant and the enslaved laborers responsible for indigo production three centuries ago. This series is an important one for Cain and is ongoing. Cain allows her paint to organically create line influenced by landscape and memory. This results in a sensation of being caught in the act of change or transition.

Michael Dickey creates earthenware vessels of different shapes, sizes, and colors ranging from 8 to 28 inches tall. These sculptural orbs appear to almost be 3D rendered in their appearance. Dickey enjoys the physicality of throwing clay and challenges himself with scale and the laborious task of the application of glaze. He applies as many as 50 bands of color on a single piece, evoking remarkable light and movement.