Between Air and Earth: Winifred McNeill
March 16 - April 9, 2026
Artist Reception: March 18, 4 - 7 p.m.
Artist Talk with Dr. Marice Rose (Professor of Art History & Visual Culture, Fairfield University): March 18, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Meet the artist: Sunday, March 29, 2-4 p.m.
NJCU Visual Arts Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition, “Between Air and Earth: Winifred McNeill,” honoring a distinguished artist and Professor Emeritus, Winifred McNeill, who built and nurtured the NJCU Art Department for more than 25 years.
Freely working at the cross-section of sculpture, ceramics, assemblage, painting, and drawing, Winifred McNeill has developed her work to uncover poignant narratives hidden beneath the surface. Building on a solid foundation of craft and traditional studio skills, she is comfortable drawing from ancient sources as well as contemporary references.
In the accompanying exhibition brochure, art historian Marice Rose writes: “Winifred McNeill’s art is like an excavation that creates rather than destroys.” Inspired by ancient Roman art, particularly that which was excavated in Pompeii, she creates works that appear broken or damaged to materialize beauty arising from devastation. For example, her ongoing series Within Ruin consists of small boxes whose sides are intentionally broken and blistered as if ravaged by a blaze. The glaze contains pumice from the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
This exhibition also premieres her new painting series, Horizon, which depicts birds and turtles on the beautifully painted bands of sky and land. Its inspiration came from the garden frescoes from the Villa of Livia, ca. 20 BCE. By highlighting McNeill’s recent and past works, this exhibition will bring out the contemporary yet classical quality distinct to the artist.
McNeill exhibits her work at Ivy Brown Gallery in New York City as well as other national and international venues. Her work is held in private and public collections, including the New York Public Library and Columbia University Rare Books Department. Residencies include the European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC); The Brodsky Center at PAFA, Philadelphia; and The Virginia Center for Creative Arts.
After receiving a BFA from Boston University and an MFA from Queens College CUNY, McNeill taught drawing and painting at St. Stephen’s School, Rome, Italy. Returning to the U.S., she became the Curator of Education at the Jersey City Museum. She taught at the NJCU Art Department until 2022. She has been awarded the title of Professor Emeritus.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3485346-0
