Connecticut's artistic scene has long been a beacon of creativity, attracting renowned artists like Sol LeWitt, Louise Bourgeois, and Jasper Johns. However, the state's artistic landscape is evolving, with a new generation of artists making their mark in unexpected places. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum's inaugural decennial exhibition, 'The Aldrich Decennial: I am what is around me', celebrates 40 artists based in Connecticut, showcasing their diverse and ambitious works from the past decade. This exhibition is a testament to the state's thriving artistic community, which has been quietly flourishing in college towns and suburban enclaves.
One of the most striking aspects of this exhibition is the range of artistic mediums on display. From outdoor sculptures to intricate installations, the works challenge and engage viewers in unexpected ways. Venezuelan-born artist Enrique Figueredo's 'Una enfermedad que solamente el oro puede curar (A Sickness Only Gold Can Cure)' (2026) greets visitors with its eight-foot stature, crafted from hand-carved plywood and acrylic paint. This piece, mounted on an aluminum frame, is a powerful statement on the transformative power of art.
Kristy Hughes' 'Portal: Hope as Practice' (2025) is another standout work. Consisting of two 10-foot loops made with acrylic, fiberglass, and epoxy resin, the sculpture is a symbol of possibility and hope. Hughes' inclusion of rocks collected from Cape Cod and New Mexico, along with poems by Octavia Butler, adds a layer of personal and cultural significance to the piece.
The exhibition also delves into the historical and cultural fabric of New England. Emily Larned's 'Police Others As You Would Have Others Police You' (2020/2026) is a thought-provoking installation that documents the transformation of a New Haven Police Academy leader's approach to community-minded policing. This work serves as a reminder of the power of art to reflect and shape societal changes.
Grace O'Connor's romantic paintings offer a glimpse into the past. Her works depict her childhood in working-class Waterbury and the surrounding Naugatuck Valley, with one piece, 'Among Strange Silences' (2025), painted by holding the brush with her mouth due to her ALS diagnosis. These paintings are a poignant reminder of the resilience and creativity that can emerge from challenging circumstances.
Lula Mae Blocton's work, 'Unseen Forces' (2026), incorporates patterns from her African American heritage with frog motifs, referencing an 18th-century myth about Willimantic residents hearing cacophonous noises from the river. This piece is a celebration of cultural heritage and a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.
Jen Bervin's 'Unspoken Words' (2026) is a quilt based on one of Emily Dickinson's poems, with most of the words omitted and only the poet's dashes and variant markings sewn in with red silk thread. This work is a tribute to Dickinson's craftsmanship and a reminder of the beauty that can emerge from the silence of unspoken words.
The exhibition also highlights the experiences of immigrant artists grappling with dual identities and the diaspora of their communities. Faustin Adeniran's 'Arewa (Elegance)' (2015) is a mosaic-like portrait created from meticulously cut and assembled aluminum cans, reflecting the artist's Nigerian-American heritage.
Arghavan Khosravi's acrylic paintings depict Iranian women struggling for freedom in an idyllic landscape, while Azza El Siddique's 3-D stoneware mold of an Egyptian noblewoman from the Middle Kingdom is a powerful commentary on the displacement of cultural artifacts. These works are a testament to the resilience and creativity of immigrant artists navigating the complexities of identity and belonging.
Scott Carrillo Azevedo's mixed-media pieces, adorned with vintage glass flowers, costume jewelry, and ceramic birds, are a celebration of Mexican-American heritage and queer identity. Aki Sasamoto's jerry-rigged fishing-line contraptions, with their devilishly jarring sound, are a reminder that surprises can abound, even in the suburbs.
'The Aldrich Decennial' is more than just an exhibition; it's a celebration of Connecticut's artistic community and a testament to the power of art to reflect and shape our world. It invites viewers to explore the diverse and dynamic artistic landscape of the state, offering a fresh perspective on the past decade's geopolitical events and their impact on artists' lives. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
