Sense of place: Taos Abstract Artist Collective contemplates theme 'On Which It Rests'

Artists have tried to capture a sense of place since the first cave dweller sketched a bison on a rock.

The Taos Abstract Artist Collective is contemplating that theme in “On Which It Rests,” open at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site in Taos. Twenty-one abstract artists have created 21 works on display at the former homes and studios of E.I. Couse and J.H. Sharp, two of the American-born, European-trained artists who formed the Taos Society of Artists in 1915.

Sense of place: Taos Abstract Artist Collective contemplates theme 'On Which It Rests'

Their abstract works span from painting, sculpture, photography, mixed-media and installations. Guided tours of the Couse-Sharp Historic Site will also be available.

Jess Merritt created the paper collage “Storm Unfurling” orbiting like the petals of a rose.

“The pieces were hand cutout and rotated,” said Bianca Goyette, TAAC board member.

The artist wrote, “Representations of a moment of tempest and a moment of serenity and clarity,” in his statement.

J.D. Scott created the mysterious cyanotype “Untitled” that could represent a ghost or a figure.

“The question that always comes to me is, ‘What is it?’ “ Goyette said. “That’s kind of the fun part of it.”

Cyanotype photography is a camera-less technique involving laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to UV light and washing it with water to create stunning white and Prussian blue images.

Photographer Bruce Katlin’s “Eights” reveals he works in layers.

“This is a digital collage,” Goyette said. “He says, ‘Nature is my church and all the flora and fauna is the choir that provides endless ideas and inspiration.’ “

Claire Coté created a kind of sculpture on paper with “This Place Has Seen.” She calls it, “A mixed-media paper landscape sculpted by my family’s feet on a winter walk, spring rains, Sunshine Valley soil, morning tea drips, cyanotype chemistry brush strokes, summer sun rays, metal shadows, patterned ground and topography glue. I make art to remind myself and others to take time to notice.”

Jan Marie Sessler made her “Chrysalis” using earth, peat, sand, paint and foam.

“She works with elements that are not necessarily art materials,” Goyette said.

Anna Bush Crews created the sculpture “white line volcanic” with blue and green lines snaking vertically along the piece. They could be crevasses; they could be water.

The TAAC will install “Visibility/Invisibility” at the Millicent Rogers Museum, running November through January 2025. The show is in response to the Harwood Museum’s “Luchita Hurtado” exhibition running through Feb. 23, 2025.