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'Art is in our souls': Cerulean Art Salon Group explores concepts of freedom
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Kari Bell believes art is not only an expression of emotion, it can be used as a tool for resistance and freedom.
As part of that belief, Bell and several artists have created works meant to remind people of freedom and how to express the ideals in their daily life.
In Fusion’s latest exhibition “Art is Freedom,” by the Cerulean Art Salon Group, seven artists and one sculptor explore what freedom means to them and how the expression of that ideal can lead to changes in the world and deeper connections between people. The exhibit runs through April 28.
“It’s a very freeing experience for each of us and for the person who comes to see art,” Bell said. “We hope it will release within them things like pleasure, thinking about the world in different ways, thinking about oneself in different ways, thinking about art in different ways, because art is a really, really individual expression.”
To express the idea of freedom, the collective of artists created sculptures and abstract paintings meant to relay their personal interpretations while allowing viewers to draw their own meaning from each work of art.
“I do abstract painting because it allows me complete creative freedom,” said Bill Sabatini, an abstract artist who contributed to the exhibition. “You can express yourself, either with bright color or not, or the forms and shapes and how you compose the canvas and all those things that go into what a piece of art is. To me, that represents me and my freedom.”
Bell said that the exhibit is not just about showing art, but opening up the floor for conversations about expression and to create a learning moment for every person who walks through the doors.
“As a former educator, education is freeing,” she said. “That opens up new realms of seeing and feeling, and one of the reasons we chose the theme ‘Art is Freedom’ is because we felt like we were saying a lot with very few words.”
Cerulean Art Salon Group said that the art show is not just about expression, but political protest during a turbulent time in America. However, the show is equally meant to represent frustration and anger, along with reminding people of all the things worth celebrating in the world.
“We all feel very strongly about what’s going on and don’t approve of it, but rather than make that the subject of our work, we want it to be more of a celebration of life through color and shape and form and engaging imagery,” Sabatini said.
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The Cerulean Art Salon Group wants the show to evoke thoughtful conversations and to allow people to search deeper within their hearts to explore what freedom means and how it carries into our daily lives.
“I hope that people are moved by this show, that it touches people somehow and gives them light and a positive experience,” Sabatini said. “Art is in our souls, it’s what makes us human beings rather than animals, and I think viewing art and appreciating it is a way of reinforcing the idea of humanity and the goodness of humanity.”
