Thompson Gallery presents "History as a Medium" (Part 1: Bo Joseph's "Attempts at a Unified Theory")

Bo Joseph's "Attempts at a Unified Theory" is the first exhibit in the three-part series.

Bo Joseph's "Attempts at a Unified Theory" is the first exhibit in the three-part series. Artist reception to be held on Sept. 7, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.


The Thompson Gallery at The Cambridge School of Weston is pleased to present “Attempts at a Unified Theory,” featuring the drawings, paintings, and sculptures of New York-based artist, Bo Joseph. The exhibit, which opens Sept. 7 and will run through Nov. 10, is the first of a three-part, yearlong series titled “History as a Medium.”

In his visually arresting work, Joseph scavenges and combines imagery from disparate cultures within fields of intuitive and gestural mark-making. Through unpredictable processes of layering and abrading silhouettes and outlines, Joseph’s methods of abstraction strip away references and contexts inviting new meanings.

In his artist’s statement, Joseph states:  “In my work, abstraction is a questioning process. It is a way of undefining things so that they may define themselves. It is a way of constantly breaking down presumptions about my knowledge and experiences, about the integrity and vitality of forms. Abstraction provides a way to reconcile diverse information. I seek ways to subvert my ego and open up to the demands of the image/object and my intuitive impulses. I avoid predetermined notions about content which often make the process of building an image obsolete.”


A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Bo Joseph has been featured at galleries and exhibitions throughout the United States. Joseph lives and works in New York City.


This year’s series, “History as a Medium,” juxtaposes the work of Joseph and two other artists, Fran Forman and Darryl Luster, whose interests overlap, but whose processes vastly differ. Each artist in the series combs history to parse out fragmentary remains, which are combined through widely differing processes and which ultimately prompt viewer reassessment, revision and reckoning. Forman’s exhibition, “Recollections,” is scheduled to open Dec. 10. Luster’s exhibition, “Chronicle,” is scheduled to open March 29, 2011.


Artist Reception for Bo Joseph: Sept. 7, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Thompson Gallery (Garthewaite Center for Science & Art)

Gallery Talk: Oct. 16, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Thompson Gallery (Garthewaite Center for Science & Art)


For more information on the exhibition and scheduled hours, contact [Todd Bartel], gallery director, at 781-398-8316 or at: thompsongallery@csw.org.


The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.