Dans Papers - June 1, 2007 - "STITCHED" AT SURFACE LIBRARY

Now's the time for new galleries to appear in the Hamptons. If truth be told, the determination to write about a just-opened venue depends on whether the critic knows the owners and / or the artists' works. In the case of the Surface Gallery to Springs Fireplace Road, it's the latter consideration that counted most, particulaly the embroidery of Christa Maiwald.

Ms. Maiwald enjoys a fine reputation as a filmmaker, photographerand creator of unique embroidery. Her exhibits can be seen mostly in New York at the Florence Lynch Gallery and in Europe. The point is, Ms. Maiwald has a speciality allowing her to exhibit other places besides the Hamptons. If some people want to call what she does a craft, so be it. No matter. We all know that crafts can be art. More salient, however, is that Ms. Maiwald goes beyond the definitions and functions attributed to craft. Her pieces often approach conceptual art in this critic's view. Often, too, their themes and technique (embroidery) are connected.

Ms. Maiwald creates potent series; in the past her works focused on the teenage psyche. It's curious that the present series at the Surface Gallery seemingly has nothing to do with human behavior at all. But on second thought, we can see a connection in her pieces featuring psychological disorders. Some images are easy to relate to the disorder - some need a pretty solid knowledge in a particular malady to interpret. For example, "Plant Therapy" (Narcissist) pictures a blossom held up to a mirror. "Plant Therapy" (Failure to Thrive) conveys two hands that are destroying a plant with garden tools. (It's curious that the "failure" is due to human behavior, not nature's intervention, like a drought.)

Then there are the pieces that are difficult to understand. One is "Asperger's Disorder," a high-functioning kind of Autisim. If disconnection is the point, the imagery is relevant. Conversely, in "Agoraphobic," the idea of a thriving plant being attacked by stones is lost on this critic (who happens to suffer from agoraphobia).

There are other arresting works in the exhibit that employ fascinating materials, textures and ideas. Consider Irys Schenker's screens, which evoke both a sense of function and grace, especially "Blue Stairs." Kelly Frigard's felted wood also conveys a "blue" theme, with a particularly intriguing "Blue Ocean."

Petula Bloomfield's stunning handmade paper pieces, including one work using an acrylic wash, is another unique celebration of texture, material and design.

Let's hope that other exhibitions like this one will be forthcoming, expanding the possibilities of the nature of art in the Hamptons.

"Stitched" will be on view until June 3. Call the Surface Library at 631- 291-9061.