FALL EXHIBITIONS: Solo exhibitions by Angela Pilgrim, whose work is shown at left, and Barbara Wallace, right. will be on view at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster September 27 through December 8. An opening reception is on September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has announced two fall solo exhibitions on view September 27 through December 8. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

“Angela Pilgrim: New Growth” presents the work of Angela Pilgrim, whose studio is in Newark. She said, “My work explores the Black female gaze through figurative imagery of the body. Utilizing portraiture, printmaking, pattern making and mixed media, I investigate themes of beauty, spirituality and reflection. By creating visual stories that invoke critical thinking processes regarding interiority, my work aims to reverse and rebuild how Black women see themselves, both within their communities and expanded to a much larger world view.”

Pilgrim’s art has been featured in publications including The Creative Independent and The Getty Archives. Her contributions to the art world extend beyond print, as she has also been actively engaged in guest residencies and lectures across the nation. Her work is held in both public and private collections both nationally and internationally, including the Newark Public Library, Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pilgrim chairs the art and graphic design departments at Warren County College.

“Barbara Wallace: Sculpture” showcases the work of sculptor Barbara Wallace. Wallace, who resides in Elizabeth, is a sculptor known for her figurative art works and innovative use of recycled materials. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Pratt Institute and Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania. Wallace is an adjunct professor at Passaic County Community College and adjunct distinguished professor at Kean University. Wallace is a previous Union County Honoree in the Arts for Women’s History Month, awarded by the N.J. Senate and General Assembly.

She said, “Shape, form and structure are essential aspects of my sculptures created with a paper mache technique in recycled paper, cardboard, wire, metal and acrylic paint. The concept for each sculpture relies on individual forms that come together to create a unified geometrically shaped structure such as a circle or rectangle…. Using up-cycled resources addresses my concerns about climate change and the environment. We have, it seems, enough materials now in existence to create, to express our points of view.”

The Center for Contemporary Art is located at 2020 Burnt Mills Road in Bedminster. For more information, call (908) 234-2345 or visit ccabedminster.org.