William Trost Richards, (American 1833-1905), New Jersey Seascape Atlantic City, ca. 1880-1890, Oil on canvas mounted on board, 9 1/4 x 16 1/2 in., Gift of Samuel B. and Marion W. Lawrence in honor of Joan Wavell, former director of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, 1988.2
May 21 - September 4, 2022

Boundaries & Frontiers

In the narratives of human history, the ocean has served as pathway, battleground, site of origin—a liminal space that is shaped and, in turn, shapes the surrounding world. The ocean is more than water; it inspires curiosity with the mysteries of its depth, creates channels of global connection, and is a muse through the romanticized beauty of its horizon and crested surface. In these contexts, the ocean becomes a charged space of ambiguous character, representing new frontiers to be discovered, but also a barrier, requiring crossing without reassurance of success.

Responding to the Greater Orlando area’s library 2022 summer reading theme Oceans of Possibilities, this exhibition explores how the ocean is visually represented and interpreted. Featuring works by Sandra Ramos, William Trost Richards, Robin van Arsdol, and Franz de Paula Ferg, Boundaries & Frontiers explores narratives related to sociopolitical isolation and passage, national expansion, power, death, and rebirth.

Related Programs

June 10, 11 a.m., Exhibition Tour w/Alexia Lobaina, Associate Curator of Education

August 9, 6 p.m., Arte Y Cafe Con La Curadora 

See the 360-degree virtual view of this exhibition.

Sandra Ramos, Aquarium (detail), 2013, 3-D Video animation, 4:23 min. (Video still), The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art at Rollins College, Gift of Barbara '68 and Theodore '68 Alfond, 2014.01.002. Image courtesy of the artist
Franz de Paula Ferg, (Austrian, 1689-1740), The Building of Noah's Ark, ca. 1730, Oil on panel, 9 x 12 1/2 in., Gift of Marjorie Myers Ginn, Francis B. Myers II, John C. Myers, Jr., and Everett M. Myers in memory of John C. Myers, Sr., 1957.10

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