Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Local Art Alert: Nanette Carter"
Episode Details:
- Title: Local Art Alert: Nanette Carter
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Release Date: July 3, 2025
- Duration: Approximately 12 minutes
Introduction to the Episode
In this episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, the spotlight shines on Nanette Carter, a prominent local artist whose exhibition “A Question of Balance” is currently on display at the Montclair Art Museum until July 6th. The show emphasizes Montclair's vibrant art scene and highlights the upcoming centennial project, 100 Pieces of Art, encouraging listeners to explore notable artworks in the area.
Nanette Carter: An Artistic Journey
Early Influences and Beginnings
Nanette Carter begins by reflecting on her early influences, particularly her mother, a dancer and costume designer. “I'm three or four years old and I was fascinated by all the beautiful fabrics and stuff,” she shares (02:09). This early exposure fostered her creative spirit, leading her to consider various artistic paths, including architecture and interior design, before committing to making art.
Mentorship and Inspiration
In her twenties, Carter encountered Alvin Loving, an influential African American artist and the first to exhibit at the Whitney in 1969. She credits Loving with opening doors for her career and inspiring her creative process. “He was the first African American artist to exhibit at the Whitney, 1969. Fabulous person, just generous, wonderful,” she recalls (03:00).
Montclair: The Artistic Hub
Growing up in Montclair played a crucial role in Carter's artistic development. The community's rich artistic environment, combined with the resources of the Montclair Art Museum, provided her with a robust foundation. Carter highlights the exceptional public schools and comprehensive art programs she experienced in the late '60s and early '70s, which included diverse mediums like etchings, silkscreens, oil painting, photography, and ceramics (03:45).
Carter notes, “Montclair was very much my time of development, my time of research, my time of trying to figure out again, do I want to go into, you know, architecture?” (04:11).
Artistic Process and Style
Creating Collages:
Carter delves into her process of creating collages, explaining how she manages multiple pieces simultaneously. “I work normally with three to four pieces at a time,” she explains (06:08). This approach allows her to draw inspiration across different works, informing her creative decisions dynamically.
She discusses the evolution of her technique, mentioning how collaboration between her intellect and emotions guides her hand, leading to a more cohesive and fluid creation process over time. “There’s an inner kind of dialogue that’s going on all the time between your brain and your heart and, I guess, and your hands also,” Carter shares (06:53).
Embracing Experimentation:
Carter emphasizes the importance of experimentation in her artistic journey, particularly during her graduate studies at Pratt Institute. An evocative memory of a winter night in Brooklyn inspired her to mimic the silhouette of leafless trees in her etchings. Frustrated with the rigidity of producing identical prints, she pioneered collage techniques for her thesis, embracing the physicality and layered texture it offered. “I began to collage. I began to tear them up and basically just sort of deconstruct and then reconstruct something new,” she recounts (09:20).
Current Exhibition: "A Question of Balance"
Exhibition Overview:
Nanette Carter's exhibition, “A Question of Balance,” features 46 works spanning from 1971 to 2024. The collection includes a small black wax pencil on paper piece titled “Eggs and Basket” and the expansive “Afrocentennials,” an 8 x 33ft site-specific installation of Sentinels.
Heritage and Community:
A significant aspect of the exhibition is the homage to her heritage. Displayed prominently is a 2012 magazine cover featuring her father, Matthew G. Carter, Montclair's first black mayor and a civil rights leader. This inclusion underscores the intersection of personal history and communal identity within her art.
Carter states, “I love the physicality of it also. But that’s where it started,” referring to her love for collage (09:54).
Large-Scale Works:
Carter discusses her affinity for large-scale works, appreciating how expansive walls transform into her canvases. The ability to manipulate space and scale invigorates her creative process. “You know, I love the fact that the wall becomes your format,” she explains (10:01).
Thanks to Pratt Institute's support, Carter has access to gallery spaces like DeKalpaul Gallery, where she assembles and organizes her large installations, allowing her to experiment with placement and composition in a professional setting.
Upcoming Conversations and Future Episodes
Towards the end of the episode, Alison Stewart previews the next segment featuring Jesse Crime, a formerly incarcerated artist whose clandestine art activities in prison have led to his work being displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, Crime has recently established a new center for art and advocacy in Bedford-Stuyvesant, highlighting ongoing discussions about art’s role in social justice and rehabilitation.
Conclusion
This episode of All Of It offers an intimate glimpse into Nanette Carter's artistic evolution, her deep-rooted connection to Montclair’s art community, and the intricate processes behind her compelling works. Carter's narrative underscores the profound interplay between personal heritage, community support, and creative experimentation, culminating in an exhibition that celebrates both individual expression and collective cultural identity.
Notable Quotes:
- “I'm three or four years old and I was fascinated by all the beautiful fabrics and stuff.” – Nanette Carter (02:09)
- “He was the first African American artist to exhibit at the Whitney, 1969. Fabulous person, just generous, wonderful.” – Nanette Carter (03:00)
- “Montclair was very much my time of development, my time of research, my time of trying to figure out again, do I want to go into, you know, architecture?” – Nanette Carter (04:11)
- “I work normally with three to four pieces at a time.” – Nanette Carter (06:08)
- “I love the physicality of it also. But that’s where it started.” – Nanette Carter (09:54)
- “You know, I love the fact that the wall becomes your format.” – Nanette Carter (10:01)
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