Light And Shadow

Joseph Di Bella, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art, taught at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia from 1977 – 2016. He served as chair of the Department of Art and Art History from 1990 – 1993 and 1996 -1999 and Director of University Galleries from 1983 – 1988. Instrumental in the establishment of the gallery program and Ridderhof Martin Gallery at Mary Washington, he was Director of University Galleries from 1983 – 1988 and Interim Director in 1989 and 1997 – 98. From 1994 – 2003 he was co-director of the University’s program in Urbino, Italy. Currently, he serves as Vice-President of the Board of the Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts. He holds a BA in art history from Rutgers and MA and MFA degrees in painting from Northern Illinois University. A signature member of the National Watercolor Society and affiliated with other professional art organizations, he has exhibited in regional, national and international venues.

Light reveals, discloses, differentiates both in the physical and metaphorical sense. It shapes and characterizes form. There is no shadow without some level of light, and while it is the gradient that maps planes, surfaces and spatial placements, it often hides, veils and obscures. Light can be thought as opening up and clarifying; shadow suggests emergence, envelopment or the secret of what lurks within. In the concert of light and shadow there are mystery, mood and structure. These are what I sought in reviewing the submissions for this exhibit, and these factors are aligned with the three elements I always seek when studying works of art: concept, composition and craft. None of these can serve as the sole criterion for a work that draws me into a conversation with it. When I study a work of art, I am also referencing influences both past and current. No artist can be separated entirely from the weight of historical prototypes and genres. And, as an artist and teacher of art, I tap in to my personal experiences in making and assessing art. The art in this exhibit presents a spectrum of diverse media. This, too, was a concern in my selection process. Certainly, within each medium category there is a technical and stylistic range that can be exercised. Ultimately, my selection is about the impact of the image: its ‘staying power’ and how this strength is achieved. This is a richly opulent and thought-provoking collection of works by a number of exceptional creators. Nonetheless, and although perhaps of little consolation to those not selected, it was difficult to exclude many more superb works.