Transatlantic Fusion: A Collaboration between New England Wax and European Encaustic Artists

Transatlantic Fusion: From Virtual Collaboration to Real Exhibition

/ May 13, 2022 / 4 Comments / online exhibition, pandemic

Transatlantic Fusion: A Collaboration between New England Wax and European Encaustic Artists

Visit the exhibition in person at the Commons Gallery, 46 Bradford Street, Provincetown, Mass., from June 1 to June 11, 2022 during the 15th International Encaustic Conference. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Concept

The idea for a collaborative project grew out of a desire to expand international creative collaboration between artists using encaustic in their work, in no small part due to the social isolation imposed by the Covid pandemic of 2020. Building on two previous diptych projects done by current and former members of New England Wax with other US-based groups, an outreach to the largest European encaustic group was conceived of as a way to further our shared love of the medium, and an opportunity to develop relationships across the Atlantic. Artists from six different countries got together to participate in this project, meeting only virtually.


The 56 Diptych project artists were randomly paired between the groups, having agreed only on the primary use of encaustic in their work and the size option for their panels. Each artist initiated a diptych by painting a panel and then sending a high resolution image to their partner (prior projects included physically mailing the completed panel, but in this case, international shipping costs were too much of an impediment). Diptych partners then responded by creating a second panel in any manner they chose. Partners agreed between themselves as to edge treatment and orientation of the finished pairs.


The diptych images and artist statements in this book are arranged with the NEW member’s work in gray text on a white background, and the EEA member’s work in white text on a gray background. Unless specifically directed otherwise, the initiating work is at the left, or top, of the pairings.

–Sarah Springer, catalog introduction

The Results

Take a look at the beautiful work produced by this collaboration. A list of the artists and their website links is below, as well as a link to purchase a catalog.

The Artists

The catalog of the project, Transatlantic Fusion: A Collaboration between New England Wax and European Encaustic Artists, compiled and designed by New England Wax member, Sarah Springer, is available here: https://www.blurb.com/b/11037001-the-diptych-project-transatlantic-fusion-2021

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