Lifelong East Boston resident Diane Modica has been a lot of things in her life from serving as District 1 Boston City Councilor to an established attorney.
What some might not know is that Modica is also a talented artist.
A lawyer by day, Modica is a self-taught artist who has gained significant insights over the years from classes, workshops, reading, traveling, history, heritage, faith, politics, people and other artists.
From Feb. 3-24 Modica will join fellow East Boston Artist Group member, Justin Rounds, to present a new members show at the Atlantic Works Gallery at 80 Border Street. The opening reception for Modica and Rounds show will be on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m.
Modica’s show will be called ‘Point of View’ while Rounds, a trans-media artist, musician, and educator living and working in Boston, will host ‘New Works.’
Modica said by observing and engaging in life and all its emotional, and often unseen and unknown connections, her work resonates with surprise. She calls her work both abstract and representational in all media whether it’s water color, oil, acrylic, collage, textile or whatever else calls out to her.
Modica said she approaches art with an ‘intuitive’ spirit. While her knowledge and experience may come from years of engagement she says intuition is a special gift that guides her artistic expression. She believes that observing history, everyday objects, nature and life with an open mind can force a whole new perspective, or point of view, freedom from conventional perceptions and the release of imagination from its persistent constraints.
“My finished pieces may change with the manner, mood and place from which I view them. It shows me that small marks, gestures and variations in art and life can inform me in an entirely different way,” said Modica. “Sometimes that different point of view is hidden until you search and it reveals itself. The key is an open mind. Points of view will find you if you let them”.
You can schedule a private viewing of Modica’s works by contacting the artist at 617 567-7200.
Rounds said he employs painting, performance, and interactivity to investigate the dynamics of power and control in culture and society by using processes emerging from the intersection of art and technology. He is an active member of Atlantic Works Gallery in Eastie, an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University, and said he is passionate about helping people use technology creatively. You can find his work online at justincrounds.org.
Modica and Round’s show will include a Third Thursday Reception on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 6-9 p.m. and the gallery hours throughout the show will be Friday and Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Founded in 2003 the Atlantic Works Gallery, East Boston’s Collaborative Space for Art and Ideas, is a member-operated gallery located on the top floor of 80 Border Street on the waterfront of East Boston. It is nearby the Maverick MBTA stop on the Blue Line and parking is available in the 80 Border St. lot, and on and around Border St. For more information please visit the group at www.atlantic works.org and on Facebook.