'Life Rhythms' by Martha Rives at NH Art Association

Description

Nature will outlast us.

The New Hampshire Art Association presents “Life Rhythms,” a solo show by Exeter artist Martha Rives. On June 2, the New Hampshire Art Association will open “Life Rhythms,” a show exploring the power of nature to overcome human-caused adversity. The creative pursuit of New Hampshire Art Association member artist, Martha Rives, encompasses mixed media relief sculptures on multiple panels and offers a moving perspective on the abundance and persistence of nature even while threatened by human-caused adversity like climate change, pandemics, political upheaval, and more.

Rives explores the repetition of natural forms in lush plant life on land and in the sea through two-dimension relief sculptures. “The repetition of natural forms emerged into this idea of the relentless quality of life and how it will overcome the kinds of adversity that man is putting on us,” she said. “It will outlast us.” Rives began this collection during the height of the pandemic in 2020. While the chaos ensued, she retreated to her Exeter, New Hampshire, art studio and took refuge in nature. She played with recycled materials, color, and sculptural form until themes began to emerge.

“Living here in a rural place, I see and feel the relentless quality of living things all around me,” she said. She began replicating patterns of plant life on canvas, and the idea of nature persisting despite human troubles emerged. Her first piece, titled Labyrinth, represented the chaos and struggle of the early days of the pandemic. But hope began to shine through in her exploration of undersea Kelp forests in “Red Kelp – New Life” and then again in “Treeness,” a study of plant life around her New Hampshire home. “Plant life will find a way to grow in as much profusion as its surroundings allow,” said Rives.

Through her series of mixed-media relief panels, new life, and hope grew from the struggle.

The New Hampshire Art Association will display the collection in the South Gallery of the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery from June 1 to July 2. They are hosting a reception on Friday, June 2nd, from 5 pm to 8 pm as part of the Art 'Round Town First Friday art walk in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The public is welcome. Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery at 136 State Street in Portsmouth, NH. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm; and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Visit www.nhartassociation.org or call 603-431-4230 for more information. Go & Do Nature’s outlasting qualities on view at “Life Rhythms,” a solo show by Exeter artist, Martha Rives, will run from June 1st to July 2nd in the East Gallery at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery at 136 State Street in Portsmouth, NH. A reception will be held on Friday, June 2nd, from 5 pm to 8 pm as part of the Art Around Town First Friday art walk in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The public is welcome. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm; and Sunday noon to 5 pm. Artwork: “Red Kelp New Life” Relief sculpture made from recycled cardboard, acrylic and paper by Martha Rives. “Hawaii” Relief sculpture made from recycled cardboard, acrylic and paper by by Martha Rives.