Trustman Art Gallery

What They See

Cicely Carew

February 5 - March 6

Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 6, 5-8:00 p.m.

Artist Talk:
Thursday, March 5, 6-7:30 p.m.


Simmons University presents What They See featuring the sumptuous and colorful mixed media artwork of painter and printmaker Cicely Carew.

On its surface, Carew’s work appears to explore materiality and process. Looking closer, it is clear that she tells stories of rebellious mark making using layers of vibrant colors, lines, biomorphic shapes and sweeping gestures. Her enormous, energetic paintings contain a record of progression and activity that elude to her celebration of risk taking and an ever-expanding journey of discovery. What They See is the perfect antidote to New England’s cold, gray early spring landscape!

What They See will be on view from February 5-March 6 in the Trustman Art Gallery, located on the fourth floor, Main College Building, 300 The Fenway in Boston.

Join us in the Gallery for an opening reception on Thursday, February 6, from 5 – 8 pm. The Gallery will also host Carew for an artist talk on Thursday, March 5 from 6 – 7:30 pm.

On Thursday, February 27, from 6 – 7:30pm, the Gallery will welcome Tai Jimenez for a special performance celebrating the intersection of art and dance.

Cicely Carew spent her formative years in Los Angeles surrounded by artists, writers, sculptors, photographers and teachers. She recently completed her MFA from Lesley Art + Design in Cambridge, MA. Carew actively exhibits her work in group shows and creates public art installations, one of which is on the exterior of the Northeastern University College of Media, Arts and Design building. She recently completed the Artful Seeds Fellowship The Art Connection, where she designed workshops, created custom work and went beyond the scope of the fellowship to create a collaborative mural project for Bay Cove’s Mental Health organizations, clients and staff. Carew has received several honors and grants over the years such as the Cambridge Art Association’s Emerging Artist’s Exhibition award, the Sustainable Arts Foundation award, Strauch-Mosse Merit Scholarship Award and a Cambridge Arts Council grant. Carew’s work is in private and University collections. She currently lives in Cambridge, MA with her son.

Trustman Art Gallery hours are 10 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 10 AM – 7 PM on Wednesday and Thursday. The gallery is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible. For more information, contact Kyle Mendelsohn at (617) 521-2268 or find us on Instagram.