George Saj's "Head Games" on view at Montclair Library (10/31/04)

George Saj's "Head Games" on view at Montclair Library

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - A solo exhibition of assembled sculptures by George Thaddeus Saj titled "Head Games" opens Thursday, November 4, at the Montclair Public Library as part of its "Meet the Artist Series." The artist's first large exhibition will feature over 40 works, providing an overview of the artists's three-dimensional portraiture which is variously conceived as decoration, talisman and social commentary. The exhibit will be on view at the library gallery through November 29.

An artist's reception and gallery talk will be held on November 4 at 6-8 p.m., with an informal gallery talk scheduled for 7 p.m. The Library Gallery is located at 50 S. Fullerton Ave.

The works displayed in the exhibition are intended to develop a rapport with the viewer, evoke a whimsical or poignant memory, or share a private joke. Some are purely decorative or serve as a talisman. Others offer social commentary. Mostly, they are assembled from bits of wood, discarded surgical instruments and household furnishings - commonplace objects placed in unusual juxtaposition intended to produce instantly recognizable images. All are executed with economy of means and generate an underlying humor that is enhanced by the very title of the work.

Comprising the exhibit are heads of animals, including a series of wild felines, whose attributes are often defined from an anthropomorphic point of view; as well as historic figures, and portraits, including societal stereo- or prototypes.

The titles of the works often incorporate the genus of a given species as a clever pun rendered in Latin (eg., "Dancing Bear - Ursus baryshnikov.) The titles of the works are often accompanied by a supratext referencing the human condition in general and occasionally Shakespeare's dramas.

Dr. Saj lives and works in Montclair, N.J., where he has practiced surgery for 31 years. His formal education in art started at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and continued at Dartmouth College, where he took courses in drawing, composition and painting as well as art history. In the 1980s he started assembling large scale outdoor statues and in the last four years smaller wall hung pieces. In 2002 his "Trophy Wife" was awarded first place in a group show at the Clifton Art Center. His work has been exhibited in juried shows in Cleveland, Chicago, New York and New Jersey.

The "Meet the Artist Series" is sponsored by Studio Montclair, an association of over 200 professional visual artists and associates, in collaboration with the Montclair Public Library. This event is held three times a year: in January, May and November.

Admission to this program is free. Library Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

For additional information please call (973) 746-2042; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the artist's website, www.georgesaj.com.

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