JoAnna Poehlmann: Now and Then

JoAnna Poehlmann once told Barbara Brown Lee, "I have all these ideas in my head and I'm afraid I'm going to run out of time. I'm afraid I'm not going to get everything done." JoAnna Poehlmann: Now and Then is witness to all these ideas. With over a hundred images and in three essays Poehlmann and her work are introduced to the larger audience. In her essay Barbara Brown Lee introduces us to her friend and lets us see the keen, meticulous artist with a wry sense of humor that peaks though all her work. Then Barbara Manger records Poehlmann's history and reveals the variety of techniques and concepts she has explored in her long, successful career. From scientific drawings and silverpoint to large lithographic stones, Poehlmann uses her skill to explore the natural world and pay homage to the artists who have preceded her. As her concepts expanded, she added collage, found objects, and xerography to her toolbox. In the final essay John Shannon explores Poehlmann's work in relationship to historic artistic themes and modern, contemporary art concepts.Most importantly, Now and Then beautifully presents the work. Kate Hawley's layout and Robb Quinn's photography let the work dominate the page. We see Poehlmann travel from intimate drawings through collage and collection to her current Travel Troves and Homages.Poehlmann's unique observations, disciplined craft, and humor (the Seventh Sense according to Poehlmann) show her to be a truely modern artist. Joanna Poehlmann; Now and Then gives us, her audience, a better chance to explore what she has created.