STAMFORD, CONN.- When some artists reach retirement age they tend to slo0w down and minimize their artistic output; not so for June Ahrens. She has been showing her work here and abroad and at 85 has decided to mount her first retrospective. Ahrens will be opening her studio at Glenbrook Industrial Park, Stamford, CT on September 21, 22, 28, and 29 from 3-5pm. At that time she will be presenting REWIND: A CAREER REFLECTION, which will include installations, new pieces and and works created during her 40 year career.
Ahrens is an American contemporary artist known for her evocative works that explore themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. Her art often employs unconventional materials and a deep sensitivity to the human experience, creating pieces that resonate on both emotional and intellectual levels.
June Ahrens was born and raised in the United States, where she developed an early interest in art. Her educational background includes a BFA degree from SUNY Purchase, (Suma Cum Laude) and advanced seminars at Yale University. Many of her works are self-directed, driven by her personal experiences and observations of the world around her. Ahrens' artistic journey has been marked by a continuous exploration of different mediums and techniques, allowing her to express complex ideas in a visually compelling manner.
Ahrens' work is characterized by a profound exploration of human emotions and the impermanence of life. She often incorporates materials such as glass, metal, and found objects into her installations and sculptures, using their inherent properties to evoke a sense of fragility, transparency, and decay. These materials are chosen not just for their physical qualities but also for their symbolic significance, often representing themes of brokenness, healing, and transformation.
One of the central themes in Ahrens' work is the concept of memory. Her art frequently delves into how memories are formed, how they fade, and how they influence our understanding of the present. This exploration is evident in her use of translucent and reflective surfaces, which create interplay between visibility and obscurity, much like the nature of memory itself.
Unclaimed Memories
June Ahrens has exhibited her work in various solo and group exhibitions across the United States and internationally. Her installations are often site-specific, meaning they are created in response to the space in which they are displayed. This approach allows her to engage with the environment and context of the exhibition, creating a dialogue between the artwork and its surroundings.
Shattered
One of her most notable works is an installation that uses shattered glass and light to create a hauntingly beautiful environment. The piece, which reflects on the fragility of life and the inevitability of change, has been widely praised for its emotional impact and technical execution.
June Ahrens' work has been recognized for its emotional depth and its ability to connect with viewers on a personal level. She has been the recipient of several awards such as the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Distinguished Advocate of the Arts Award as well as a grant award. She was a finalist for the Joan Mitchell Award, and received the National Endowment for the Arts award among others. Her work is held in both private and public collections, such as the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO, the National Museum of Health and Medicine (part of the Smithsonian, Washington, DC) Silver Spring, Maryland, Berkshire Museum, MA, and Sculptuart Gallery, Matera, Italy. Ahrens' contribution to contemporary art lies in her unique ability to blend materiality with metaphor, creating works that are both visually stunning and deeply thought-provoking.
Her art continues to inspire and challenge viewers, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences of loss, memory, and the passage of time. As an artist, June Ahrens remains committed to exploring the complexities of the human condition, using her work to offer insights into the shared aspects of our lives that connect us all.
The Day The Sky Fell
