Second Street Gallery is pleased to present Curiouser and Curiouser: A Dialogue in Abstraction, a two person exhibition showcasing sculpture by William Bennett and painting by Carol Barber, in the Dové Gallery from September 6 - 27, 2024.

The exhibiting artists were paired by Executive Director and Chief Curator Kristen Chiacchia who drew inspiration from the juxtaposition of sculpture (particularly bronze or other metallic works) and Abstract Expressionist paintings in museum installations. The physical solidity of the sculptures creates a stark contrast alongside the abstract vibrancy and deep emotional intensity of the paintings. The result urges the viewer to explore the harmonic dialogue between the static and dynamic, the three-dimensional and the two-dimensional, and the tactile and the visual. Chiacchia hopes to evoke this same mood in the exhibition of Bennett’s and Barber’s artwork.

The exhibition will showcase two side-by-side collections by the exhibiting artists. Bennett will exhibit a series of ten interactive sculptural forms evoking an intimate connection between the viewer and the sculpture. Bennett’s series hopes to reveal the content and truths that come from this dance of the physical form and the experiences, dreams, and fears of the participants engaging with the sculptures.