Paradox: 16th Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition

November 9 – December 15, 2019

In memory of teaching artist Betsy Meyer, Main Line Art Center is proud to present the 16th Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition, Paradox, featuring the Meyer Family Award for Contemporary Art recipients Megan Biddle (Philadelphia, PA), Jedediah Morfit (Collingswood, NJ) and McKinley Wallace (Baltimore, MD). This award and exhibition exists to support the talented contemporary artists in the region, to honor deserving artists in the field, and to encourage excellence and experimentation in artistic practice, presentation, and community involvement.

The artists of Paradox explore opposition and contradiction in their work. The juxtaposition of seeming opposites through material contrast, conceptual framework and social statement demands the viewer’s attention to, and consideration of, both the works presented and the themes addressed through them. The contradictions these artists explore are so deeply interdependent that they often go unrecognized in the contemporary context.

Megan’s manipulations of material suggest fullness and emptiness, lightness and darkness, weight and weightlessness. Jedediah conflates ancient practice of adornment with the contemporary processes of 3-D printing, laser cutting and CNC machining in a visual discussion of the meaning and purpose of self-adornment. Do we seek to invite or deflect attention? McKinley’s paintings highlight the overlooked strength of the oppressed, historically obscured by the dominant narratives of their oppressors. We are forced to confront this truth and examine the difference between power and strength. The work featured in Paradox compels us to sit with contradiction, contemplating why, when we see one thing, we lose sight of the other.

About the Exhibition

The Meyer Family Award for Contemporary Art presented by Main Line Art Center in conjunction with the Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition (November 9 – December 16, 2019) honors approximately three artists annually with an exhibition in the Center’s gallery and an award of $1000. This award and associated exhibition program is an effort to support talented contemporary artists, to honor deserving artists in the field, and to encourage excellence and experimentation in artistic practice, presentation, and community involvement.

As an artist, Betsy exemplified what is most exciting about engaging with the artwork of living artists: watching them experiment with their media and tackling complicated and tough subjects. As a teacher, she encouraged her students to follow her example and expand their practice into new frontiers. And finally, as a member of the board and exhibition committee, she assured that the Art Center was there for the artistic community of Philadelphia.

Artist Talks and Opening Reception:

Saturday, November 16, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Main Line Art Center Board of Artistic Advisors