In conjunction with the summer-long Outsider Art in the Hamptons show, Galerie BelAge in Westhampton Beach has partnered with the family of the late Peter Marbury to screen a short film on the East Moriches artist (1939-2009) made by his son, Sebastian.
Peter Marbury, a local artist best known for his abstract sculptures and his set designs for the Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue, died at age 70 on February 28, 2009, in an accident while riding his motorcycle on a racetrack in Sarasota, Florida.
A memorial service was held for Mr. Marbury on June 6 at the Quogue Community Hall, and at that service, Sebastian first screened a film he had created to honor his father’s legacy.
The film, which has a running time of about 20 minutes, includes footage from home movies and videos, as well as interviews. Clips include scenes from the Marbury family’s Super 8 millimeter films of the ’60s and ’70s, segments of interviews the younger Mr. Marbury conducted with his father, and even footage the artist made of himself at work on his sculpture.
In an interview last month, Sebastian said he has so much footage that he hopes to expand upon the film, ultimately developing it into a feature-length documentary.
“I like to think of it as a trailer for the feature film,” he said of the movie.
He added that as he sorts through his father’s studio, he continues to discover new pieces, as well as new material for the film.
“Our house is like a museum,” he said, “So this is what I’m going to do.”
Stumbling across “new” works also led Sebastian to Outsider Art. His father, who was a self-taught artist, created pieces appropriate to be featured in the annual exhibition. This summer, more than 15 of his works—spanning his career from his early 20s to late adulthood—are on display at Galerie BelAge.
Sebastian’s film, which was shown on July 25 as part of the Outsider Art show’s outdoor screenings, will continue to play on a continual loop on a small screen inside the gallery for the remainder of the summer.
on Aug 11, 2009