The Lightness Of Being, in a Torrington Art Show

It all began with Gail (Jacobson, of Cornwall, Conn.) and Lori (Barker, of Goshen, Conn.), who both suffered from an overabundance of many things, including art supplies, tidbits found at tag sales, creative energy and talent. They met 25 years ago at an art show (Barker was showing and Jacobson was buying — on that particular day).

They’ve been friends since, and have found that their work, although very different, is also similarly inspired by the spirit of “If life gives you lemons, maybe a collage would be nice? Decoupage? Lemon prints on Japanese paper?”

One never quite knows what will come out of Jacobson’s studio; she changes her style all the time. But one thing is consistent: The way she has inspired her husband, Jeff, in his own work. While Gail will make something unexpected out of anything, Jacobson has more of a race car driver’s focus, staying on track while moving forward with grace and power. His work is in fact based on race cars (he is a collector, racer and aficionado of old motors, and is especially fond of the three-wheeled Morgans). He has in recent years begun to collect old engine parts and make beautifully balanced lamps from them; each lamp comes with a card explaining the history of the car that is at its core.

The two Jacobsons and their friend Lori Barker have combined their work for a new show at the Five Points Annex Gallery in downtown Torrington, Conn. It opens on Friday, Oct. 9, and remains up until the following weekend, closing on Oct. 18. 

On display will be some of Jacobson’s exquisite lamps; and work by Barker’s late husband, Ernie, who made sculptures and one-of-a kind furniture from wood and was for 30 years an art teacher at The Gilbert School in Winsted, Conn.

As for the two friends, for this show, they said, “Lori is displaying her engraved photography on metal and combining acrylics, wood and found objects. 

“Gail is using a variation of a Japanese technique to print foliage, which she then cuts out and collages onto watercolor paper. The results are a combination of realism and fantasy.”

There will not be an opening reception for the show, called Lightness of Being, which will open on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Five Points Annex Gallery, 17 Water St. in Torrington (the annex is around the corner from the main gallery). 

Visitors can come between 1 and 5 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday or by appointment from Oct. 9 to 18 (masks and social distancing are required). For more information, call Gail Jacobson at 860-318-6968 or email gail@carouselprop.com.