Abstract
What emotions come to the surface when you see a painting or sculpture of a human figure?
Does figurative art have a special power to invoke empathy? These are the central questions
posed by the group exhibition “What Is a Heart?”, on view at The Linda Hummel-Shea Artspace
at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill from September 19 th – November 14 th .
Curated by Professor of Art & Design Michelle Carter, the show brings together paintings and
sculptures by thirteen emerging and established artists with ties to the Greater Boston area.
Viewers will encounter a spectrum of approaches to figuration, from meticulously rendered
illusionism to a high degree of abstraction. Many different materials are on display, including
watercolor, oil paint, clay, plaster, plastic, and textiles. The eclectic methods and materials in
“What Is a Heart?” reflect the resilient, multi-faceted presence of the human figure in the art
world today.