The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz will acquire new artwork from regional artist ransome, titled “Lemonade,” for its permanent collection.
The purchase is made possible through The Dorsky’s Hudson Valley Artists Annual Purchase Award program, which enables the museum to acquire exceptional work by Hudson Valley artists and enrich its holdings in contemporary art from the region each year. The Purchase Award is supported by the Alice and Horace Chandler Art Acquisition Fund.
ransome is one of 27 Hudson Valley artists currently exhibiting at The Dorsky Museum as part of the 2021 installment of the annual Hudson Valley Artists series, “Who Really Cares?” a reflection on current events and their impacts as felt by individuals and our greater community. The exhibition was guest curated by Helen Toomer and was on view at The Dorsky through Nov.14, 2021.
Created during the pandemic, “Lemonade” utilizes four panels to represent various phases or experiences of solitude. On the large panel on the right, one man looks out of his window onto the beauty of the world below. Is he imagining the danger of the virus, lurking outside and hidden amongst the beauty of nature? Or is this a work of art that he is viewing in the absence of physical relationships?
The painted still life is surrounded by darkness but the lemons are bright, suggesting the possibility of resiliency and optimism, and also referring obliquely to Beyonce’s song “Lemonade,” a testament to Black people’s history of struggle and perseverance fueled by hope.
Next year’s Hudson Valley Artists call will be available on the Museum’s website in early 2022. Artists who wish to receive notification of the artist’s call can subscribe to the Museum’s email list at http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum.
Previous Hudson Valley Artist Purchase Award recipients include Annie Raife, Donise English, Kathy Greenwood, Libby Paloma, Jean-Marc Superville Sovak, Richard Edelman, Deb Lucke, Nestor Madalengoita, Holly Hughes, Stephen Niccolls, Patrick Kelley, Adie Russell, Gilbert Plantinga, Thomas Sarrantonio, François Deschamps, Curt Belshe and Lise Prown, Charles Geiger, Barbara Leon, Elisa Pritzker, Amy Talluto, and Mollie McKinley.
About The Dorsky Museum
Through its collections, exhibitions and public programs, the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art supports and enriches the academic programs at the College and serves as a center for Hudson Valley arts and culture. With more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over six galleries, The Dorsky Museum is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system. Since its official dedication in 2001, The Dorsky has presented more than 100 exhibitions, including commissions, collection-based projects, and in-depth studies of contemporary artists including Robert Morris, Alice Neel, Judy Pfaff, Carolee Schneemann and Ushio Shinohara.
Funding for The Dorsky’s exhibitions and programs is provided by the Friends of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art and SUNY New Paltz.
Museum Hours
Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, holidays and intersessions.
For more information about The Dorsky Museum and its programs, visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum or call (845) 257-3844.
