David Ross puts a fresh face on Art of the Northeast

I enjoyed the process of selecting work for the Silvermine Art of the Northeast Annual, but perhaps that’s not saying enough. Ever since my decade as director of the Whitney, I have always enjoyed seeing the extraordinary diversity of art being made in American regions. Being within the gravitational pull of New York City, one might be tempted to think of the Northeast as somehow not quite as regional as other parts of the country. Of course, there is some truth in that, but the very idea of regional art – or a regional aesthetic – seems a very comforting notion in this era of pan-globalism and relational aesthetics. 
I would imagine that, for instance, artists who experience long hard winters might be in some ways different than those who divide their year into good beach days and great beach days. I’m pleased to say that the quality of work submitted to this exhibition was remarkably high. Considering the long and distinguished history of the Northeast Annual, that is not at all surprising. What I find most  refreshing and encouraging is the wide range of individual styles and approaches, the earnest engagement and changing notions of beauty and an undercurrent of sophisticated wit. It is my hope that I have selected an exhibition that visitors will find both compelling and delightful.

David A. Ross

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