A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, November 18-December 17, 2023: Garden Drawings.
The Garden Drawings began during the pandemic in 2021, when I was invited by the curators of Virginia MOCA, to take part in a collaborative exhibition with twelve regional artists who were each partnered with local food experts ranging from farmers and chefs to authors and advocates. I was partnered with a local farmer whose mission was to help us understand the power of plants for our bodies and the planet when grown in certain ways. The body of work presented here reflects that partnership and what I learned about nature when left to its own. Garden Drawings includes six drawings from the MOCA exhibition and nine new drawings, created in 2023, that expand upon the initial series.
I focused visually on the shapes and textures of the vegetables. I employed the same bold, graphic method of shading with linear hatching and cross-hatching that I use in my woodcuts. In this series, I allowed myself the freedom to scribble or let my hand wander with the pencil in order to create the feeling of chaos in the backgrounds of the carefully drawn vegetables. The chaotic random element echoes the process of natural farming that I observed in the farming community of Virginia Beach, where plants and vegetables were allowed to grow wildly on their own accord, without being subject to pruning or other maintenance practices.
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
Charcoal, Conte, Graphite on Paper, 24 x 18 inches
In 2019 I created a series of animations based on drawings and woodcuts I made in 2015 and 2000. I selected music from around the world to animate my drawings and woodcuts. From the whimsical to the ominous, each of the animations has a very different tone as well as a range of effects. For example, in Hanzel and Gretel, the the figures move across the format telling the story though movement and time. In Hybrid Cardinal, the animation of multiple arms serves to suggest the spirituality of classical Indian music. The animations allowed me to adapt drawing and woodcuts to a new medium incorporating movement and music.
2019, 2000
Music by Tunnel Wave, excerpt from “Fairy Tale”
2019
Music by Rakesh Chaurasia, excerpt from "Hanuman Chalisa"
2019, 2015
Music from Podington Bear, excerpt from "Wonder Happens"
2019, 2015
Music from Podington Bear, excerpt from "Wonder Happens"
2019, 2015
Music from Podington Bear, excerpt from "Wonder Happens"
2019
My focus is on intricate line and pattern that translates well into the bold, black and white outlines of the woodcut medium.
- Marcia Neblett
"Her woodcut prints convey the genre of still lifes as well as fairy tales. By arbitrating through a medium as wood block - a labour intensive process - Marcia has interfaced her creativity, which metaphorphoses as expressive statements. Wood block prints convey startling contrast of black and white, but Marcia through her clever and dexterous manipulation of lines marvellously breaks the otherwise monotonous areas of whites or blacks."
- Ashrafi S. Bhagat, Independent Art Historian and Art Critic
Drawing on Woodblock for Carrots
Carved Woodblock for Beets (Fruit and Vegetable Series) - 2020 - Pine, 22.5 x 39.5 inches
Asparagus - 1997 - Woodcut printed on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38.5 x 26 inches
Banana - 1997 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38.5 x 26 inches
Broccoli - 2002 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38.5 x 25.5
Artichoke - 2002 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38.5 x 26 inches
Cabbage - 2002 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38.5 x 25.75 inches
Leeks - 2007 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38 x 26 inches
Carrots - 2007 - Woodcut printed by hand on Mulberry Paper, sheet size: 38 x 26 inches
"Marcia's prints play homage to masterful draftsmanship and printmaking of the past while being of their own time and sensibility"
- Roberta Waddell, Curator of Prints,
The New York Public Library
"Marcia explores fairy tales, invented mythologies and the darker side of children's tales. Her works are loaded with humour and yet touch on the subtext of seemingly innocent children's stories."
- Mumbai Newsline, The Indian Express
Hansel and Gretel: Into the Woods - 2000 - Woodcut printed by hand on Unrye paper, 11 x 33 inches
Hansel and Gretel: Into the Woods (Detail) - 2000 - Woodcut printed by hand
on Unrye paper, 11 x 33 inches
Hansel and Gretel: The Candy House - 2000 - Woodcut printed by hand on Unrye paper, 11 x 33 inches
Hansel and Gretel: Home Sweet Home - 2000 - Woodcut printed by hand on Unrye paper, 11 x 33 inches
Repunzel: Lettuce Leaves - 2000 - Woodcut printed on Johannot mouldmade paper, 19.5 x 26 inches
Repunzel: The Tower - 2000 - Woodcut printed on Johannot mouldmade paper, 19.5 x 26 inches
Repunzel: Prince climbs Repunzel's Braids - 2000 - Woodcut printed on Johannot mouldmade paper, 19.5 x 26 inches
Fish Hybrid - Lithograph, 8 x 10 in.
Fish Hybrid - Lithograph, 8 x 10 in.
Solo Exhibition - Invite Cards - AIR Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Frog Tumbles - Detail, Chalk on Gray Paper
Three Mermaids - Detail, Chalk on Gray Paper
Bunny in Cocktail Dress - Graphite, Pastel on Paper, 6 x 8 in.
Kali Rabbit - Graphite, Pastel on Paper, 6 x 8 in.
Pelican with Babies - Graphite, Pastel on Paper, 6 x 8 in.
Frog Chase - Black Chalk on Paper, 11 x 30 in.
Frog Chase - Detail, Black Chalk on Paper, 11 x 30 in.
Black and White Chalk on Toned Paper, Each: 5 x 8 in.
Black and White Chalk on Toned Paper, Each: 5 x 8 in.
Black and White Chalk on Toned Paper, Each: 5 x 8 in.
“Marcia Neblett’s charcoal image of a fanged and rabid-looking Little Red Riding Hood encountering her wolf is a memorable addition to the recent spate of fairy-tale imagery in art.”
- Holland Cotter, Art Critic, The New York Times
READ A REVIEW OF THE EXHIBITION BY ASHRAFI S. BHAGAT, Independent Art Historian and Art Critic
"Marcia powerfully conveys her emotions through bold and dramatic strokes. Capitalizing on the tool such as erasure, creating a colored background by rubbing the pastel on the paper and with high lights in white, Marcia directs her composition to create titillating and provocative effects. Her forms and images do not invite pleasurable intervention, rather the caricatured and the draconian imagery is articulated as metaphors to convey the realities of life. And through the narrative of Red Riding Hood, Marcia creates her individuated visual language."
- Ashriafi S. Bhagat, Independent Art Historian and Art Critic, The Hindu
"The age-old story of Little Red Riding Hood, the sweet shy girl, who was rescued by the brave woodcutter who killed the wicked wolf, has been a legacy of childhood for generations. Contrast the sugar coated image with the of the Little Red Riding Hood who's strong willed and willing to take on the wolf herself. It's American Artist, Marcia Neblett's way of using characters out of famous fairy tales to re-interpret the world they inhabit and the way that world reflects the world that we live in."
- Samriti Grover, News Correspondent, NDTV Mumbai
Little Red Riding Hood Series: Dance of Desires - 1997 - Charcoal on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper, medium weight, 41.25 x 68 inches
Little Red Riding Hood Series: Oh, My! ...You're Not Grandma - 1997 - Charcoal on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper, medium weight, 41 x 65 inches
Little Red Riding Hood Series: You're Not Grandma! - 1997 - Charcoal on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper, medium weight, 41.25 x 67 inches
Little Red Riding Hood Series: Take This! - 1997 - Charcoal and Pastel on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper, medium weight, 41 x 65 inches
A few sketches from my travels in India
Karnataka, South India, Brush Marker on Paper, 2007
Karnataka, South India, Brush Marker on Paper, 2007
The tallest brick minaret in the world standing at 73 metres
New Delhi, India, Brush Marker on Paper, 2007
New Delhi, India, Brush Marker on Paper, 2007
-
Fish in Leather - Lithograph printed from Bavarian Lime Stone on Zerkall Cream Paper, 12x16 inches, 2000
Fish Head - Lithograph printed from Bavarian Lime Stone on Zerkall Paper, 12x16 inches, 2000
Fancy Fish Fanning Herself - Lithograph printed from Bavarian Lime Stone on Zerkall Paper, 12x16 inches, 2000
Cheers to the FIsh! - Lithograph printed from Bavarian Lime Stone on Zerkall Paper, 12x16 inches, 2000
Girl Blowing Bubbles - Woodblock printed on Arches White Paper, 20x30", 2000
Girl with Party Hat Blowing Bubbles - Woodblock printed on Arches White Paper, 20x30", 2000
Woman with Fish - Woodblock printed on Arches White Paper, 20x30", 1997
Flying Trapeze Artist (with boquet of flowers) - Woodblock printed on Arches Cream Paper, 20x30", 2000
Tattooed Girl - Woodblock printed on Arches White Paper, 20x30", 2000
Flying Trapeze Artist (with crown and bugle) - Woodblock printed on Johannot Paper, 20x30", 1996
Flying Trapeze Artists - 1997 - Artist Book, Woodcut, Accordion Style Book, Printed by Hand on Mulberry Paper, 12 x 90 inches (when extended fully)
Circus - 1997 - Artist Book, Woodcut, Accordion Style Format. Printed by Hand on Mulberry Paper, Archival, acid free book Binders Board, Cotton Canvas, Red Decorative Paper, Canson Black Paper. 13 x 108 inches (when extended fully)
Circus - 1997 - Artist Book, Woodcut, Accordion Style Format. Printed by Hand on Mulberry Paper, Archival, acid free book Binders Board, Cotton Canvas, Red Decorative Paper, Canson Black Paper. 13 x 108 inches (when extended fully)
DETAIL of Circus - 1997 - Artist Book, Woodcut, Accordion Style Format. Printed by Hand on Mulberry Paper.
BOOK COVER for Circus - 1997 - Artist Book, Woodcut, Accordion Style Format. Printed by Hand on Mulberry Paper with archival book binders board and decorative papers.
I received a Fulbright Grant in 2014 and 2007 to lecture and reseearch in Southern India in the city of Chennai. In 2014 I lectured in drawing, painting, illustration and woodcut at Stella Maris College. In 2007 I lectured in printmaking and life drawing at The University of Madras - Govt College of Fine Arts, Chennai. These are some of the art works that the students produced in printmaking.
READ A REVIEW ABOUT MY FULBRIGHT EXPERIENCE BY ALLISON HERSH
"Neblett worked closely with her students in India, introducing them to woodcuts and other traditional printmaking forms. Impressed with the students' talent, dedication and creativity, she organized a reciprocal exhibition, which enabled students and faculty at the University of Madras to exhibit prints at Savannah College of Art and Design, while allowing SCAD students and faculty to showcase their work at the art college in India. For Neblett and for her students, the USA - India exchange exhibition allows an important lesson in understanding how art has the power to transcend conventional barriers that divide nations."
- Allison Hersh, Arts Critic, The Savannah Morning News
Fulbright to India - 2007 - Printmaking Students at the University of Madras,
Government College of Fine Arts - Chennai, and Fulbrighter Marcia Neblett pose for a class photo
Students, Prabu, Vijay and Yuvaraj pose for a photo with their Self Portraits at the Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, India
Fulbright to India - 2014 - Art Students at Stella Maris College, Chennai
and Fulbrighter Marcia Neblett pose for a class photo
Woodcut by Vijay Pichumani - Goddess Saraswathi - 2007 -
Chennai, India
Woodcut by Vijay Pichumani - Goddess Dhanwantri - 2008 - Chennai, India
Color Reduction Woodcut by Vijay Pichumani - Tiger Dance - 2009 -
Chennai, India
Color Reduction Woodcut by Vijay Pichumani - Cow Dance - 2009 - Chennai, India
Color Woodcut by Ambeth Periasamy - Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Indian Prime Minister - 2008 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Prabu Sivalingam - In Goes the Good and Out Comes the Bad -
2009 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Ambeth Periasamy - Birds - 2007 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Ambeth Periasamy - Birds - 2007 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Radhakrishnan Natesapillai (Professor of Printmaking) - Owl -
2007 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Ashok Pachaiyappan - Pain - 2009 - Chennai, India
Color Woodcut from Single Block by Ashok Pachaiyappan - The Step of Abinaya - 2007 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Prabu Sivalingam - See no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil - 2008 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Yuvarajan Shanmugan - Narashiman - 2007 - Chennai, India
Etching by Ambeth Periasamy - Vice - 2008 - Chennai, India
Etching by Vijay Pichumani - Global Warming - 2008 - Chennai, India
Color Collagraph by Vijay Pichumani - Water Lilly - 2007 - Chennai, India
Collagraph by Ambeth Periasamy - Indian Traditional Design - 2007 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Prabu Sivalingam - Judgement Day - 2009 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Ambeth Periasamy - Interchange - 2009 - Chennai, India
Collagraph by Ashok Pachaiyappan - The Wall - 2007 - Chennai, India
Collagraph by Arthi Mohan - Dancing Girl - 2007 -
Chennai, India
Woodcut Detail by Prabu Sivalingam - Magic Canvas - 2008 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Prabu Sivalingam - Magic Canvas - 2008 - Chennai, India
Woodcut by Elaya Selvan - 2007 - Kathirvel Temple - Chennai, India
