Barbara Fisher’s paintings are scenes of codified chaos, vivid abstracts that come together and emote like manifestos, belying their seemingly random imagery. Her signature work has cemented her a spot in the River Arts District for the past 20 years, and this month, she’s spreading the love, curating a show at the Asheville Area Arts Council titled Who’s Afraid of Red?
Fisher handpicked 16 artists to display their interpretations of the title color. The roster includes well-known names such as Alicia Armstrong, Ian Brownlee, Margaret Curtis, Spencer Herr, Peter Roux, Molly Sawyer, and more.
Meanwhile, Fisher recently announced her own artistic and financial coup: she’s received a prestigious $17,000 grant from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, which provides “financial assistance to individual working visual artists of established ability.” The grant is not project based,
explains Fisher, but is meant to be a reward for existing work, helping with stuff like studio rent and art supplies.
Yet Fisher still has plans for the windfall; she says she’s eyeing the possibility of a two- to four-week residency in some inspirational locale. Similar excursions have found her in Florida, Spain, and Wyoming. But something in her wants to stick closer to home this year — namely at Western North Carolina’s world-class craft school up in the High Country.
“Most likely I will do a Penland stint.”
—M.J. MacAodh
For more information, see barbarafisher.com. Who’s Afraid of Red? runs through March 29. Asheville Area Arts Council, 207 Coxe Ave., Asheville. www.ashevillearts.com. 828-258-0710.
This is really helpful, thanks.