“Bennington”

By Carrie Stanziola

This Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending a local painter’s art showing at the Nave, entitled Matt Carrano: Evolution of a Somerville Artist.  In Carrano’s own words, “My work is in one way or other about observation.  It is connected representation, description is never an objective.  One of the most exciting things that I find happens in the act of painting is when the painting takes on its own reality and begins to suggest places either observed or imagined in my mind and in the mind of the viewer.  I consider myself an abstract artist these paintings, for me, are abstractions in the purest sense of the world.”

According to Peter Miner, an architect who has known Carrano for 10 years “It’s great to see them all in one spot…the “Four Seasons” really have to be shown together and this is such a great space.  Because it’s such a consistent background you see the color change…”

Said another museumgoer: “What’s really nice to see is the work he’s done over this period of time and see how it’s changed and evolved over 15 years; the variety of work going from landscapes to still lifes to more abstract paintings which he’s doing more recently.  It’s really a wonderful show.  I encourage people to come see it.”

According to Nancy Fulton, “Well, I think the show is really holding together well and it’s always nice to see somebody’s work over a period of years because then you see the different things they’re exploring…I’d encourage people to come and see this…’

As Craig Milanesi, who was instrumental in helping to bring Carrano’s work to the Nave puts it, “Well, I think it’s an outstanding presentation.  I think this is one of the rare solo shows here in the six years we’ve been in operation…I think Matt is very talented.  It resonates with me; one of the paintings is entitled “Bennington”, and I’m from Western Massachusetts near Bennington, and I told him I thought it was reminiscent of some of the great works at the Clark Art Museum which is out in Williamstown. But it shows very well in this gallery between the dark wood and the white walls there’s a real communal feel to it.”

Fellow artist Francisco de la Vara told me “Well, I’ve known Matt for some time already, like, we used to be in the same building and I’ve seen his work for at least three years.  And I like a lot of the degree of abstraction…and light and color that always remains; kind of keeps the observer oriented-like what is the person looking at?”

When I asked Cynthia Pearson her opinion on Carrano’s show, she replied “Some of these stylized landscapes remind me of something that is ideal and maybe not always there in real life any more but they’re captured in these paintings.

But perhaps Jack Culhane put it best when he succinctly said “I like the colors,”

Matt Carrano’s work will be showcased in the Nave until March 26^th. Attendance is free.