SEVEN - Collective Statement
We are a collective of Maine abstract artists.
We bring collective intention to our individual practices; this draws our work forward.
We challenge a world that drowns out reasons for art making.
We seek to preserve expression for self and community.
About Us
In 2015 we met during a continuing studies abstract painting class at Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine taught by abstract painter and printmaker Michel Droge. After two semesters of painting together, we decided to continue our shared commitment to developing our individual painting practices by starting a monthly critique group involving rotating studio visits. Michel Droge agreed to stay on as our mentor. In 2017 Michel Droge curated our first group show at Zero Station, Portland, Maine. With that exhibition SEVEN- An Artists Collective was introduced to the Maine arts community.
We maintain our group as an evolving entity that cultivates continual growth both within our individual studios and in our group presence in the arts community. Each of us continues the exploration of our own unique language in an effort to express a personal vision.
We meet regularly at our studios to consider the physical reality of making. The conceptual components of our work develop and merge with the intuitive experience of working with our materials. The hand of the artist is clear and present. We place emphasis on the act of artistic creation.