New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


SOPAC Rings in the Spring with a New Exhibition in the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery

originally published: 03/09/2023

SOPAC Rings in the Spring with a New Exhibition in the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Stuart Tyson's exceptionally up-close flora photographs invite the viewer to take a keen look—almost as if you’re peering at the flowers through a microscope. His captivating exhibition, PAPAVER—which is the scientific name for poppies—will be on display at the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC from Thursday, March 9 to Sunday, May 7.

“His poppy photographs are breathtakingly beautiful,” says Jeremy Moss, the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery curator. “Knowing Stuart’s love of the outdoors and his passion for gardening, I knew I needed to showcase his intimate flora photographs.”

Tyson’s photographs highlight nature’s impeccable details—tissue paper-like petals, hairy stems, and yellow pollen-dusted stamens. They provide an astonishingly intricate examination of the flowers’ journey. Moss describes Tyson’s poppy photographs as, “evoking Victorian botanical drawings and the lighting of Dutch masters, such as Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt.”

A free opening reception will be held on March 9 from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

The PAPAVER exhibition features 24 photographs of this delicate species captured by Tyson, an avid gardener, and South Orange resident for 23 years. Of the many flowers and plants that inhabit Tyson’s yard, the poppy is among the most stunning and interesting forms, but its time is fleeting.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



“Each year, hundreds emerge in late spring to amaze with their unique colors and shapes only to wither and die within a few short days,” explains Tyson.

As spring approaches, this exhibition explores the marvelous metamorphosis of this flowering plant. “The poppy offers a captivating, albeit brief, window of transformation,” says Tyson. “From its emergence from a furry bud through its unfolding like a butterfly's wing to its inevitable withering and shedding petals to leave behind its most characteristic seed pod.”

Yet, Tyson—a native of Yorkshire in the United Kingdom who excels in portrait, landscape, and still-life photography—endeavored to preserve a poppy’s brief time in bloom.

If the mention of poppies conjures images of small red crepe-paper pins worn on Veterans Day, the exhibition’s works will introduce you to white, light pink, orange, and purple varieties of the flower.

“Through the ages, poppies have been associated with the remembrance, and honoring of the dead and symbolizing peaceful and eternal rest,” says Tyson. “They also have signified rebirth and regeneration in the spiritual and physical realms.”

Though, “in this exhibit, I have strived to describe the sinuous revelations of form that poppies make through their short but spectacular lives,” says Tyson. “Each and every stage of the poppy's life cycle is a marvel to record.”

If visitors are interested in making a purchase, they can contact Linda Beard at (973) 382-1035 or lindab@sopacnow.org.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Beloved SOPAC Board Member Milly Iris initiated the gallery. Both Milly and her husband, Herb, were longtime supporters of SOPAC, avid collectors, and devoted arts advocates. The family legacy continues through the generous support of Herb and Milly’s daughters, Roreé and Kerry, along with The Iris Family Foundation. The Gallery is located on the second and third floors of the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The Gallery is free and open from Monday-Saturday, 12:00pm– 6:00pm.

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in northern New Jersey. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events, and education programs for all ages.  SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY


An Evening with Jon Stewart

Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: community

Click here for full description


Manhattan Comedy Night: March

Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: comedy

Click here for full description


Rebirth Brass Band

Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 8:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description


Click here for more events

Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages.

Click here for more info.








 

LATEST NEWS


Ocean Casino Resort presents Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Ocean Casino Resort presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Ovation Hall. In a pop culture world defined by its perpetual changes, the partnership of singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo has been a potent, steadfast union that has soared to the top of the charts and into fans' hearts on their own terms. Showtime is 8:00pm.


The Princeton Folk Music Society to Celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy with Professor Allan Winkler




Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival Returns April 21st




Jersey Arts TV: MPAC Sees Pilobolus Return with "re:CREATION"


Click here for more event previews







New Jersey Stage

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!


Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and on our RSS feed


Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy