An intricate interlocking of riggings on the edge of a perfectly squared mast, Miller Place artist Jim Molloy’s oil painting gives the viewer a close-in picture of the folds of canvas, metallic shackles and tough rope lines needed to propel a sailboat under the power of wind and muscle alone.
The strength of the piece is not quiet, probably because only the smallest part of the entire vessel is shown, the folded triangular end of one sail on a wooded boom and the parts that make it go. Pull out to the full sailboat gliding across the Long Island Sound and it might look graceful, mysterious. But cropped on a particular piece of the machinery you can see behind the gauzy veil of how it works.
That feeling is invoked in title of the piece: Steadfast.
Molloy’s artwork–an oil painting on panel completed in 2012–was picked by juror and landscape painter April Gornick for special recognition from 65 artists who participated in Art League of Long Island’s 56th Long Island Artists Exhibition.
His painting was one of three artists’ works to receive an Award of Excellence. Four additional paintings by other artists were given an honorable mention. According to a statement released by the Art League, Gornick screened 500 entries to make her final selections.
A list of participating artists can be found on the Art League’s website.
The Art League of Long Island showcases the region’s visual artists in its competition on view at its Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery from March 10 through April 14. The gallery is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge. The Art League of Long Island’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. For more information call (631) 462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org.
