“REMNANT: The CURRENT WORK OF PHILIP ARCHER”

The painter Philip Archer comes to us from Edinburgh, Scotland – and the current show in the Gallery at Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College, is a strong example of the artist’s vision: beautifully abstracted landscapes with simplified figures with mysterious implicit narratives. Archer is the Head of Leith School of Art in Edinburgh – and he has spent many years both making and teaching art. His collaboration with the well-known Scottish poet, Michael Symmons Roberts is the inspiration behind most of the work in this show.

Archer speaks of a gathering of poets and artists that led to the current exhibit of his paintings: “We were living on what appeared to be the edge of the world. In this community there was a sense of waiting, like that found in Olivier Messiaen’s ‘Quartets for the End of Time’; waiting for this beautifully rich but broken world to be rolled up, revealing the full and everlasting picture. At the back of the house was a sun terrace, forming a border between the safety of the house and home and the nearby treacherous cliffs and surrounding wilderness” – and that terrace and wilderness form the backdrop for all the paintings in “Remnant” – a vital and beautiful exhibition that we are pleased to present at Gordon College. Mr. Archer says further, “I aim for my work to be holistic, where being, doing and knowing all come together in making art.”

The gallery opening reception takes place Saturday, APRIL 13, 4 - 6 p.m. and includes refreshments and a gallery talk with the artist. All events take place in the Barrington Center for the Arts at Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Rd., Wenham. For information, visit http://www.gordon.edu/Gallery.