Sky Power: Beckoning Color

Sky Power is a contemporary painter based in Provincetown. Her emotion-driven, colorful abstractions and dreamscapes are driven by strong composition and color-as-form, created in the language of abstraction.

Influenced by three Hans Hofmann students–Paul Resika, Selina Trieff, and Robert Henry–Power’s paintings seek to show the connection between representational and abstract art through composition.

FROM THE CURATOR

On the occasion of Sky Power: Beckoning Color, twenty-five works of art, spanning five decades, were selected not only to enforce Power’s place within the Art Colony, but her direct impact as a Provincetown painter. Instead of focusing on one particular series, or body of work, I chose to include artworks from differing series and decades to demonstrate the full scope of Power’s career.

That the Provincetown Art Association and Museum has organized this project is altogether fitting. Power first came to Provincetown in 1976 and discovered a vibrant art colony. Her various jobs—from owning a horse and buggy business to chef to piano tuner to gallery director—shaped her creative life which has resulted in an exquisite body of work driven from nature and the natural landscape of Outer Cape Cod. I commend Sky for her self-discovery—experimenting, studying, teaching and pushing herself to become a master colorist.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Sky Power: Beckoning Color is truly a collaborative effort whose success rests with the unfailing edication of several individuals who have made this project a reality. John Yau wrote an honest and fresh synopsis of Power’s journey, honing in on the different elements that have held much influence. Susan Rand Brown beautifully weaves together Power’s life experiences with her ability to apply such practices to canvas.

The organizational accessibility that Sky has provided is exceptional. Art works, photographic documentation, and articles have made this monumental project come alive through her gracious and open approach.

I extend my deepest appreciation to the private collectors whose generosity in lending these works has brought the project to fruition with beauty and elegance for our audiences. Special thanks to Berta Walker for her unfailing support and guidance.

Thank you to Jean Wilcox, who produced a timely and visionary catalogue design; her expertise, patience, and enthusiasm are very much appreciated.

The Sky Power: Beckoning Color exhibition, along with its publication and accompanying programs, has also benefited greatly from the dedication of the PAAM staff. To them, especially Madeleine Larson, Bill Rigby, and Jim Zimmerman, I would like to extend my warmest thanks.

CATALOGUE FUNDERS

An exhibition of this scale requires many levels of support, and we are extremely grateful to the funders for consistently sustaining the museum’s curatorial efforts.

Judyth and Daniel Katz

Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker Foundation

Charles Sumner Bird Charitable Foundation

Christopher Duff

Steven Roderick

Berta Walker

Anna Davy

Louise Davy

Anonymous (2)

Nancy Yuronis

Diane Ponzio In Memory of Cleo Sharplin

Roxi Power

Paul Ciccarelli and Mark Gallaher

Gertrude Graham Smith

Image: Sky Power, Anchored to the Sea, 2008, oil on canvas, 24 x 30