(TRENTON, NJ) -- Artworks Trenton is proud to announce an upcoming exhibition, Clifford Ward: I'LL MAKE ME A WORLD, prologue. The exhibition will run from February 1 through April 12, 2025, with an opening reception on February 1, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience Ward's captivating artwork.
Clifford Ward: I’LL MAKE ME A WORLD, prologue will be an enchanting exhibition that brings together selected works from multiple series of works by Ward, celebrating the intersection of Ward’s artistic journey with the imaginative and forward-looking spirit of Afrofuturism. Curated by Addison Vincent, Artistic Director of Artworks Trenton, this exhibition represents a unique collaboration between Artworks Trenton and Grounds For Sculpture (GFS), located in nearby Hamilton, New Jersey. The Artworks Trenton exhibition is a first look at select pieces to be featured in GFS’s upcoming exhibition, Clifford Ward: I’ll Make Me a World. The exhibition at GFS is guest curated by Noah Smalls and will be on view in its Museum Building from May 18, 2025 to January 11, 2026. Expanding on the Artworks Trenton exhibition, GFS will display Ward's work in a larger context, revealing the complete narrative and the interconnectedness of his greater oeuvre.
Clifford Ward, known for his innovative and thought-provoking pieces, has gained recognition for his works inspired by the mythologies, cultures and pathos of the African Diaspora, Australian Aborigines, Native American and Māori people. His work spans a variety of mediums and styles, consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
"We are excited to present Clifford Ward's exhibition. His talent for engaging and inspiring audiences perfectly complements our mission to nurture creativity and artistic expression within the community. Furthermore, his work embodies the ideals of Black History Month, extending its significance beyond just February,” stated Artworks Trenton’s Artistic Director, Addison Vincent.
“My sculptures either remain in their mixed media form (steel, newspaper, plaster bandages, cowrie shells, acrylic paint or amber shellac with brown wax) or they are cast in bronze, iron or aluminum,” said artist Clifford Ward. “I like to explore my love of geometry, cubism, mythology, anthropomorphism, textures and Egyptian/Nubian art and symbols.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with Artworks Trenton,” said Kathleen Greene, Chief Audience Officer at Grounds For Sculpture. “It provides both of our organizations the opportunity to celebrate Ward’s extraordinary work while deepening our organizations’ connectivity and growing our mutual audiences within the local community.”
The exhibition at Artworks Trenton will include a diverse collection of Ward's works created over the last decade, providing an immersive experience for art enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Special events, including an artist talk and community events, will be scheduled throughout the exhibition period.
The Grounds For Sculpture exhibition Clifford Ward: I’ll Make Me A World is made possible by generous exhibition support from Julie and Michael Nachamkin. Additional support is provided by NRG Energy and Marjorie Ogilvie. Support is provided in part by the Atlantic Foundation, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the NJ Department of State, and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) is a 42-acre not-for-profit sculpture park, arboretum, and museum, founded by the late Seward Johnson. Featuring over 300 contemporary sculptures by renowned and emerging artists in a beckoning, ever-changing landscape, Grounds For Sculpture combines art and nature to surprise, inspire, and engage visitors from all backgrounds in the artist’s act of invention. In addition to its permanent collection, Grounds For Sculpture offers exhibitions in six indoor galleries, alongside experiential art, horticulture, and wellness programs for all ages. Located in Hamilton, New Jersey, Grounds For Sculpture is easily accessible from the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas by public transit and is open year-round.
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