Waltham artists included in ‘Inhabiting Space’ exhibit in Boston

Waltham artists Hilde-Kari Guttormsen and Caroline Grossman are two artists exhibiting their work in “Inhabiting Space: Presence, Purpose, and Possibility,” a group show featuring more than 40 artists at the New England Art Center in Boston. The exhibition is on view through Aug. 31.

Taking place at The Art Gallery at the NEAC, the exhibition features work in a variety of materials, including painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media. 

“At the heart of ‘Inhabiting Space’ is an inquiry into how environments, personal or shared, shape and are shaped by human presence,” according to the NEAC. “The works consider space as something fluid and alive: a container of identity, memory, transition and transformation.”

Guttormsen and Grossman are both experienced artists using very different media and approaches in their works..

Originally from Norway, Guttormsen, who has a background in medicine and science, is exhibiting two pieces at TAG titled “Biosphere Yellow” and “Biosphere Glow.”

“These works are a result of years of research and thinking about how humans are interacting with our Biosphere — the living part of our planet earth,” said Guttormsen.

The 3D, circular pieces are covered with fleece from recycled plastic water bottles, she said.

“Some of the elements (‘Biosphere Yellow’) or all of the elements (‘Biosphere Glow’) will glow if shown under UV light,” said Guttormsen, who is part of Waltham Open Studios’ fundraising committee. 

Since earning a BFA at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2015, Guttormsen has worked as a fulltime artist. She has been a member of Lincoln Studios in Waltham since 2018.

Grossman, who is a member of The Waltham Times’ Board of Directors, also incorporated a 3D element into one of her pieces included in the TAG show.

The image “Ada Twirls Frida at the Brooklyn Museum (Portrait of Ada Bullock),” was made with Caran d’Ache water-soluble crayons and an antique silk petticoat on cradled Claybord panel.

Grossman explained in her artist’s statement that she rediscovered her mother’s petticoat in a trunk filled with dress-up clothes from her childhood and decided to use it as a 3D element in the work. Ada, Grossman’s grandniece, is seen smiling and twirling while holding the red taffeta material.

The second piece she included, “Ada Dancing to Her Own Panda (Portrait of Ada Bullock),” was also created using Caran d’Ache water-soluble crayons on cradled Claybord panel.

“I’m fascinated by gesture and the interplay of light, dark and color — (sunshine often hides as much as shadows reveal) and relationships among families — both biological and found,” said Grossman, who stated she mainly creates portraits.

Since her father’s 2018 death, she said that “plants, pedestrian ‘family heirlooms,’ and other found objects connect past to present — breathing freshness, life and movement into pieces and installations.”

Describing what art means to her, she said it “is a potent elixir for commentary, public health and healing when everything around is crashing.”

More information

Waltham artists Hilde-Kari Guttormsen and Caroline Grossman are participating in the exhibition titled “Inhabiting Space: Presence, Purpose, and Possibility,” now through Aug. 31 at The Art Gallery. The gallery, which is marking its 1-year anniversary, is part of the New England Art Center, located at 460C Harrison Ave., C1, Boston. The exhibit is open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, visit https://newenglandartcenter.com/inhabiting-space-presence-purpose-and-possibility-tag/