Opening Reception: JANUS Between Two Worlds

Guzman, One Way (version 1), Archival pigment on Gampi paper, 15.5 x 21.5 inches

Curated by Katharine Dufault

Featuring Idil Barkan, Alexandra Rutsch Brock, Brantner DeAtley, Katharine Dufault, Kiki Dufault, Patricia Fabricant, Guzman, Ellen Letcher, Maggie Mailer, Henry Murphy, Tess Recordon, Noah Schmitz, Denise Sfraga, Julie Torres

On View: January 9 – March 2, 2025

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 11, 4-6PM

Susan Eley Fine Art is pleased to present JANUS, a group exhibition organized by guest curator Katharine Dufault. The show includes fifteen contemporary creators and is on view at SEFA Hudson from January 9th to March 2nd, 2025. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, January 11th from 4-6pm with many of the artists present.

The artworks range from sculpture, to painting, to photography. Curator Katharine Dufault speaks about her exhibition concept for JANUS, as well as historical sources, artist selections and exhibition design in the words quoted below: The idea for the show came from a childhood memory of seeing a stone sculpture of the Roman god Janus in a museum in Cambridge, England, where I grew up. I was struck by the sight of the double faced head and fascinated to find out about the god and its meaning. Janus is the double-faced Roman god who looks backward and forward simultaneously. This duality evokes the idea of being on a threshold, standing at the entrance to a portal between worlds. It suggests a moment of transition, where the boundaries between realities blur, offering a glimpse into magical realms. It is, perhaps, an opportunity to perceive or even embrace something extraordinary—a fleeting moment of connection to the mysterious and the sublime. Artists have been selected for their ability to transport viewers to new and imaginative places.

Through abstract paintings that capture a sense of movement, photographs offering modern interpretations of the theme and sculptures that allude to hidden worlds—each piece serves as a portal. These artworks invite the viewer to step through and explore. They challenge perceptions and ignite the imagination, offering a bridge between the tangible and the intangible. Each artist’s vision contributes to a larger narrative of discovery and transformation. By engaging with these works, the audience is encouraged to embrace the unknown and to see the world—and themselves—in a new light. Additionally, JANUS makes a fitting theme for a winter show in January. The month is named after this god whose faces simultaneously look back at the old year and forward towards the new year.