WAG had a most rewarding Saturday, turning a terribly humid day into the chance to catch some wonderfully artistic displays that left us feeling transported to another world.
It all began at Lyndhurst, the National Trust for Historic Preservation site in Tarrytown. Featured in our June issue – and recapped here recently – we were determined finally to spend time with “Defying Labels: New Roles, New Clothes,” the costume exhibition that will end its run Sept. 25. Providing a bonus was the one-weekend-only display, “Autumn Blossoms,” which filled the interiors of the mansion. Hard to say which was lovelier – the incredibly intricate, artistic arrangements created by a handful of area floral designers or the historic fashions and accessories gracing the carriage-house gallery and select rooms of the mansion. While the floral display, by nature, is gone, there is still time to catch “Defying Labels,” which will live on through a fine exhibition publication featured in the gift shop.
The afternoon’s destination was Ossining, the Steamer Firehouse Gallery to be specific. It was a treat to catch up with Greenburgh-based professional photographer Stephen Morton – featured in WAG back in February of 2014 – as he opened his first solo show. “Painted Ladies,” which continues through Sept. 23, puts the spotlight on his complementary career, in which he uses the human body as a three-dimensional canvas. In short, he applies body paint to a woman’s figure, which he then photographs to create a near-abstract image.
The resulting work is a celebration of form and color and truly unique – and WAG extends congratulations to Morton on the artistry on display – and the solo show.
For more, visit Lyndhurst.org or stephenEmorton.com. – Mary Shustack
