Mariel Capanna's new exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art's MATRIX gallery space features canvases filled with abstract shapes that evoke a thriving town or bustling metropolis. The works, specially created for the exhibit, are painted quickly in oils enhanced with wax and marble dust, and are inspired by pieces from the museum's permanent American Art collection, including works by Florine Stettheimer, Bob Thompson, and John Trumbull. Capanna also watched films that responded to those artworks while painting, and the canvases are sized to match the gallery's entranceway, which is framed by a fabricated panel titled "Sinopia for an Egress."
The exhibition matters because it demonstrates how a contemporary artist can engage deeply with a museum's collection and architecture, creating works that are both visually inviting and intellectually layered. By giving MATRIX artists special access to the Wadsworth's holdings, the program fosters a dialogue between historical and contemporary art, offering visitors a fresh perspective on familiar pieces. Capanna's ability to blend research, lived experience, and spontaneous creativity results in art that feels both site-specific and universally accessible, enriching the cultural landscape of Hartford.