SHADOW WORK

by James D. Cennamo

This exhibition features 83 pieces from SHADOW WORK, a miniature sculpture series that revisits unforgettable events and social commentaries—both good and bad, heroic and tragic, celebrated and infamous—that have shaped society from the 1960s to today. Though the sculptures are tiny in size, the stories they tell are monumental.

Seen through Cennamo’s lens, these moments are infused with humor—often dark—and rendered in bright, bold colors. Each figurine is sculpted by hand from clay, baked in the artist's own oven, and painted vividly and colorful. The figures, though seemingly flimsy and innocent, are strikingly alive. When displayed together, these small works form a striking visual timeline—like a history book laid wide open on the wall. Some pieces capture moments of joy, others evoke sorrow; all reflect the stories that have been told and retold among friends and families, both in private and public spheres.

About the Artist
Cennamo grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began his creative journey as a cartoonist. After moving to Nantucket in the 1980s, he served as an editorial cartoonist for two local newspapers from 1989 to 2010, receiving awards from both the National Newspaper Association and the New England Press Association in 1992.

Beyond visual art, Cennamo has appeared in numerous stage productions with the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket and performed as a stand-up comedian. A musician as well, he founded the Transcendental Band Govinda Sky. In 2021 he moved to Salem MA and he joined the Salem Art Association where he received two honorable mentions for his artwork and held his first solo show SMALL WORLDS in 2025. In 2023, he published his graphic memoir, River Of Consciousness.

GIANT BABY

by Yin Peet

The "GIANT BABY" consists of two components: a sculpture of mother and child and a painting of the sculp- ture’s shadow juxtaposed against a beach scene. The work addresses the phenomenon of "Giant Baby Syndrome," which seems to have become more pronounced in recent years. Traditionally, as children mature, their mental and emotional capacity to live independently grows in parallel with their age. However, the "Giant Baby" syndrome occurs when an individual reaches physical maturity but remains mentally and emotionally dependent, demanding attention and care like a child.

Historically, this syndrome was often linked to overindulgent parenting in affluent soci- eties. Today, however, it manifests across all walks of life and social classes, as many in- dividuals remain in their comfort zones and resist growing mentally and emotionally. Yin Peet’s initial motivation for creating this work was to critique this widespread phe- nomenon. However, as the creative process unfolded, Yin developed an empathetic un- derstanding, recognizing that many of us, to varying degrees, act like "Giant Babies," re- luctant to "grow up."



The sculpture is made from fiberglass, with both the mother and child depicted as over- sized human figures. The child, in a lively and exuberant posture, sits in a stroller that is clearly too small for them. The mother, dressed in a 19th-century gown, is slender, ele- gant, and aloof, responding to the antiquity of the stroller. The painting accompanying the sculpture portrays the mother and child on an outing, strolling along the beach on a sunny day. The use of antiquity in the imagery suggests that "Giant Baby Syndrome" may not be a modern problem but rather a centuries-old phenomenon. While growing up and shouldering increasing responsibilities is an inevitable part of life, the question remains: how do we face this challenge? Yin’s "Giant Baby" work prompts reflection on this pro- found issue.