Comments from Curator Lyn Christiansen

Those viewers fortunate to be familiar with Betsyann Duval's work, with its zany, irreverent sense of humor, along with the never shy, always courageous, explorations might be surprised to learn of her other side —the self-described recluse exploring our ancient metaphysical questions. Of all Duval’s Bromfield shows, this is the most reflective of that philosophical, questioning side. It is a memoir. Therefore, think of the work here as a single entity: it is the experience of the entirety that reveals the artist within. Connect the dots ….here literally the red dots and blobs that appear throughout ...what are they? Why are they here? Where are they coming from and where are they going?

How to experience this exphibit by Lyn Christiansen

Look at the 12 paintings as if viewing a piece of film strip. Feel the movement that happens visually and imagine what experiences were happening in the subject's life at various moments. Then look at the sculptural pieces. Think of them as clumps of memories all wrapped up and ready to burst out with the ”aha’s” and “oh no’s” of experience. Some are direct anchors to a section of time. Some are in the middle of the room growing around the secrets inside and speaking to each other to create a personal mythology. And then some are words reflecting the attempt to find something from other human beings who have passed this way and might help the traveler make sense of it all. Finally ponder those red dots where we began. Long before our current scientific cognitive experiments, metaphysical philosophers have recognized the difference between literal and subjective time. Trying to make sense of the differences is a significant challenge. For Duval, this show is a result of that challenge.

Time Monster Memory Bank

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • ( Left) Sculpture, W 8 x L 10 x H 12, (Right) Installation: H 56 x L 34 x W 10

WTF? • Why? • How?

Paintings 1-3 of 12 painting cycle • Oil on canvas • 36 x 36 each

Old Timey Music

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • (Left) Installation: H 29 x L 24 x 19, (Right) Sculpture: H 10 x L 7 x W 7

Gallery View

A Day at the Beach

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • Size variable

"Wow. That was Fast." is a visual memoir that explores the mystery and energy of my life and how the vicissitudes of time have impacted it. These two themes interplay through 12 connected paintings and are reinforced by wrapped-object sculptures, and related poem fragments.

Hormoneum • Sex'n Drugs'n Rock'n Roll • Staying Afloat • Riding the Wave • I'm Swimming as Fast as I Can

Paintings 4-9 of 12 painting cycle • Oil on canvas • 36 x 36 each

Present and Future

Found objects, embedded memories • (Left) H 6, L 4 , W 4 • (Right) H 9 x L 6"x W 6

Gallery View

Young

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • (Left) Installation: 31 x 31 10, (Right) Sculpture: H 9 x L 6 x W 6

Moment to Moment • Reflection •  Wow that was fast.

Paintings 10-12 of a 12 painting cycle • Oil on canvas • 36 x 36 each

Past

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • (Left) Installation: H 34 x L 24 x W 10 • (Right) Sculpture: H 10 x L 6 x W 6

Unraveling

Found objects, embedded memories, wall transfer, shelving • (Left) Installation: H 30 x L 24 x W 10 • (Right) Sculpture: H 9 x L 12 x W 10

Unraveling