Ashlynn Browning
Guest Curator of Front Burner,
North Carolina Museum of Art
Raleigh
Raleigh–based artist and curator Ashlynn Browning received her MFA from UNC-G and participated in GreenHill's abstract painting show Independents in 2013. Browning has worked for the past three years on organizing the painting survey entitled Front Burner at the North Carolina Museum of Art, which includes works by GreenHill artists Celia Johnson and Katy Mixon among other outstanding NC artists.
Browning spoke with Edie Carpenter about the impact of COVID-19 on the exhibition and her personal studio practice.
Edie Carpenter: I know that closing Front Burner just after it opened must be very disappointing for you, the museum and the artists! Do you have plans to reschedule programming?
Ashlynn Browning: Yes, it's been an emotional ride for sure. We were able to have the opening on March 5th, which was wonderful, but that was a private event so really just the artists and a group of guests with tickets were able to see the exhibition. The museum closed just a few days later due to COVID. I am beyond grateful that the museum is extending the show until January 31, and have high hopes that it will get to be seen and appreciated. The exhibition was three years in the works and has such a fantastic group of artists. There were several programs and events that had been scheduled during the run of the show but had to be canceled. There will be a virtual artist panel discussion on Saturday, October 24 - 7:00 pm with Luke Miller Buchanan, Carmen Neely, and Antoine Williams. Lien Truong will be moderating.
EC: What has your personal studio practice been like during this period?
AB: I've been very fortunate in that I've been able to work in my studio about every other day. My husband is working from home and can help with childcare. It's been a very productive time for me. I've been working in oil on wood panels as usual but also on paper, which I haven't done in many years. Drawing produces such an intuitive, emotional quality. I can channel all the anxiety and pent up feelings into the work, and the studio is also a quiet, therapeutic place for me, so it's been a lifesaver as far as mental health is concerned during this time.
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