Portland Museum of Art Spotlights Anne Neely with Painting and Documentary

The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is showcasing the work of artist Anne Neely, highlighting her 2012 piece Squall alongside the short documentary From West to East: Close to the Bone, created by the National Gallery of Art for its West to East series. This exhibition is located on the third floor of PMA and aligns with Neely’s ongoing show, The Wonder of the Light, at Elizabeth Moss Galleries in Portland, which will be open until August 15. Born in 1946, Neely employs a pouring technique to craft textured landscapes. Squall illustrates an approaching storm near her seasonal residence in Jonesport, Maine, where she has lived for over three decades. The painting reflects elemental turmoil, inspired by deteriorating piers. The documentary delves into her life and the effects of climate change on Maine’s coastline, featuring insights from local workers like Eunilah Libby, who highlights the scarcity of opportunities for youth. Neely’s art captures the interplay of beauty and vulnerability, addressing themes of economic instability and environmental change.