Michele Dragonetti’s “Boat Hull” Series To Return To Roman Fine Art

Roman Fine Art will once again welcome artist Michele Dragonetti for another solo exhibition. Last October, Under the Surface was showcased at the East Hampton-based gallery, and starting Friday, August 31, the artist’s Re-emergent can be seen.

“The show will feature primarily more recent work, mostly taken in the last year,” Dragonetti explained. “Pieces were shot mostly in Argentina, Malta, as well as here on Long Island.”

The exhibition highlights photographs from the artist’s Boat Hull Series. Dragonetti initially found her inspiration in the marinas of Montauk where she focused on boats in need of repair or refurbishing.

Once removed from the water, boats live a different life. Propped on supports or left in storage, the functional aspect of the boats are removed and the aesthetic aspect comes to life, as the bottom of the boat, or hull is one of the most beautiful parts of the boat.

Colorful paint jobs, aged by the saltwater as well as the triangular pattern of the hull on a square frame makes for an interesting, geometric appeal to the eye. Through Dragonetti’s work, boats have new life on land.

Dragonetti began this series locally in 2013 and has since expanded to boats in Connecticut, Florida, California, Vermont, Argentina, Cuba, London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Malta and the southern coast of Portugal. She continues to travel and document her hull finds.

Untitled – Palermo. (Courtesy Photo)

“Among the pieces are some shots with a very different look, unlike any that I had seen before,” Dragonetti added.

She currently splits her time between Amagansett and New York City.

Her work has been featured Art New York, Market Art + Design and Aqua Art Miami and this past spring, she was featured at Urban Outfitters’ corporate headquarters in Philadelphia. Locally, she was featured at the East Hampton Marine Museum last summer.

Re-emergent will be on display Friday, August 31 through Monday, October 1 and the Gallery will host an opening reception on Saturday, September 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Roman Fine Art is located at 66 Park Place in East Hampton. For more information, visit www.romanfineart.com.