SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Civilizations may come and go, but ancient Egyptian culture, one of the earliest and greatest, has left an indelible impression throughout world history. HaGar AbdelRahman and John Branigan, guest curators in association with the master’s of arts program in museum professions at Seton Hall University explore the influence of ancient Egyptian themes in the work of local and regional artists in an exhibition at the Pierro Gallery of South Orange on view from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The gallery will host an opening celebration on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment.
There will also be a curator-led tour of the exhibition on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 4:30 p.m. No reservation is needed. To arrange a group or school tour at another time, contact smartiny@southorange.org. Tours are free to the public.
A special presentation by Ulysses Grant Dietz, Newark Museum’s chief curator and curator of decorative arts, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Beck rooms of Seton Hall University’s Walsh Library. The talk is called “Like an Egyptian! An illustrated Survey of Egyptian Revivals in Decorative Arts History.”
From Greco-Roman art and architecture through 19th-century Victorian Egyptomania, and on into contemporary times, powerful archetypes — pyramids, obelisks, hieroglyphs, pharaohs and iconic Egyptian gods — continue to permeate our world cultures today. What did these elements and motifs signify to the ancient Egyptians and what do they mean to artists today? How do contemporary artists utilize these symbols and what new attitudes and concepts do they represent? HaGar AbdelRahman and John Branigan present the work of 16 artists who have been deeply influenced by Egypt. Artists include Cecilia André, Sybil Archibald, Marianne Barcellona, Gwen Charles, Richard Deurer, Norma Greenwood, Michelle Harpster, Linda Brooks Hirschman and Sarah Teofanov, Sue Karnet, Maria Lupo, Beatrice M. Mady, Natalya Tali Margolin, Elisa Pritzker, Heidi Sussman and Lisa G. Westheimer.
“Each curator brings their own specialty and deeply personal perspective to this exceptional show,” Gallery Director Sandy Martiny said in a press release. “Ms. AbdelRahman will share her deep understanding of ancient Egyptian culture. She has identified the ancient Egyptian motifs and themes used in each artist’s work and through the exhibition will tell a story of ancient Egypt that continues to resonate with artists and the public today. Mr. Branigan is an exhibition designer who brings his designer’s eye to the installation. He has created kiosks for learning that guide visitors through the show. The show and its interpretive materials will be tremendous fun, a scavenger hunt for art lovers and the curious.”
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