The Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA) is delighted to announce the return of Meg Webster’s captivating installation, “Nearest Ocean Water,” for the 2024 season. This minimalist masterpiece, first unveiled last year as part of “Meg Webster: Site-Specific Work,” takes on a new life this year, occupying a specially chosen outdoor location within the museum’s stunning three-acre expanse overlooking the Atlantic Coast.
“Nearest Ocean Water” is a powerful testament to Webster’s artistic philosophy. The work itself is a simple yet profound concept – a vessel containing over 300 gallons of water drawn directly from Narrow Cove. Placed in a new location for 2024, the installation becomes an even more potent reflection of the dynamic coastal environment that surrounds the OMAA. Visitors are invited to contemplate the relationship between the water held within the vessel and the vast ocean just beyond the museum grounds.
The new positioning of “Nearest Ocean Water” brings it into closer proximity to the vibrant floral displays meticulously cultivated by OMAA gardeners, Carol Woodman and John Prendergast. These lush plantings boast a dazzling array of native wildflowers, including Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed), A. incarnata (Swamp milkweed), Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset), Monarda (Wild bergamot), Chelone (Turtlehead), Solidago (Goldenrod), Wild Asters, Achillea millefolium (Common yarrow), and Helenium autumnale (Helen’s flower). The juxtaposition between Webster’s stark, geometric form and the riotous colors of the surrounding flora creates a captivating dialogue between the artist’s vision and the inherent beauty of the natural world.
Dr. Amanda Lahikainen, Executive Director of OMAA, expressed her enthusiasm for the installation’s return. “As we unveil Meg Webster’s ‘Nearest Ocean Water’ at its new location,” she remarked, “the power of her minimalism, inspired design, and the connection she creates with the environment becomes clear. OMAA is thrilled to share her work with the Seacoast region, and we hope this installation inspires contemplation and connection with the world around us.“
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View a Video of a Tuesday Talk with Meg Webster at OMAA
The Power of Minimalism
Meg Webster, an artist whose career has long been defined by a deep reverence for the environment, is renowned for her ability to transform raw materials into powerful artistic statements. Her minimalist aesthetic, often employing simple geometric shapes like cones, mounds, and prisms, emphasizes the scale and placement of her work in relation to the viewer. Webster’s goal is to foster engagement – not just with her art, but also with each other and the natural world that surrounds us.
By elevating the ordinary, the humble elements often overlooked underfoot, Webster compels us to appreciate the wonder and fragility of our existence on this planet. “Nearest Ocean Water” invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the beauty and power of the environment we inhabit.
“Nearest Ocean Water” will be on display at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art until the close of the season on November 17th, 2024.
Featured Photo: Meg Webster, Nearest Ocean Water (detail), 2023, Acrylic, ocean water. Courtesy of the artist and Paula Cooper Gallery, New York.
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