[visual art]

The End of an ERA:
The final exhibit at 3rd and Castle debuts

By: Lauren Hodges

What is it about a sweet, soothing melody that makes a good night’s sleep so irresistible? With everything that stands to be explored and attended, rest overrides it all as the best idea for the moment. Perhaps it is the vibration of sound or just the thoughtful lyrics, but the hypnotic presence of a calming song can make our parties and problems unwind just long enough to coax life into a standstill.

For ERA Gallery’s Chet Fisher, a lullaby couldn’t be more fitting for his popular 523 spot on the corner of Castle and 3rd streets. “It’s not the end,” Fisher promises. “Definitely not.”

“Maybe the end of an era?” is my pathetic attempt at a joke.
Yet he nods and smiles. It isn’t the end. It’s simply time for a little nap.

Before the fabulous party spot goes into hibernation, however, Fisher promises a final soiree for his loyal art crowd, bringing in one of his favorite artists in to decorate.

“J. Coleman was the first artist exhibited at ERA, back in November, 2005,” Fisher remembers. “It was a solo show titled ‘Smother the Sound.’ Coleman’s second solo exhibit here, [in] March of 2007, titled ‘NC/DC,’ was a huge success documenting in mixed media on canvas some of Wilmington’s most famous and celebrated citizens.”

Now Coleman has returned to pay tribute to ERA with an exhibit titled “At the End of a Lullaby.” “The drawings were created in a reactionary and emotive method without any obvious regards for conveying a concrete narrative,” Fisher says. “However, when viewed as a whole, conceptually and stylistically, the series offers a commentary on mortality, sexuality and primitive urges. Evocative imagery and sequential use of color suggest a stream of consciousness but remain ambiguous for the most part.”

Coleman does not plan to have any more shows until 2009, despite showing an average of 10 shows per year in the past. Taking a year off to “research new methods” is his goal after closing “Lullaby” at ERA.

“I’m trying a lot of new things,” Coleman says. This show, for instance, is his first exhibit sans paintings, with every piece done completely in dry medium. “It’s mostly charcoal on paper,” he describes. “I’m really excited about it. I’ve never done a whole show with just drawings.”

Coleman, who describes himself as a “figurative artist,” feels that this show will prove to be an open book to his mind—even more so than other collections.

“There was a lot more freedom with the drawings,” he says. “They can be done quicker, so I was able to get through a lot of ideas. It was almost like a 40-day journal of my mind.” He admits to recognizing his own feelings on paper, despite having made almost 60 different works. “I can definitely look at one and remember what I was thinking, what happened that day, even the day before.”
As for the show, he is most looking forward to the work that has yet to be created. “Chet is going to let me paint a whole wall,” he says.

“It’s going to be a mural. I don’t know what I’m painting or even which wall to choose, but I’m sure I’ll know once I’m back in the space.”

Coleman’s first big solo exhibition in D.C. was named “A District’s Lullaby,” so he feels that the name of ERA’s final show is a perfect commentary. “It’s about changing direction, moving on, trying new things,” he says.

Chet Fisher, for the moment, is ready for a change in direction but he’s certainly not throwing in the art-show towel. Fisher is still planning two upcoming shows to be hosted in various venues around town, the first being an answer to the question “What is taboo now?” featuring 10 to 15 of Fisher’s “creme de la creme” local artists. “It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings!” he promises. “You have not seen the last of ERA Gallery!”

“At the End of a Lullaby” will open on Friday, July 11th, from 7-10pm at 523 South 3rd Street.