Herbert & Rist Co-owner to Exhibit Fish Art at Historical Museum

In the storefront of Herbert & Rist Wine and Liquor Store on Jobs Lane in Southampton hang a number of wooden painted sculptures of fish that many passersby stop and gaze at — though they may not know that the artist himself co-owns the store.

Now, they can see more of Southampton native John Rist's art when an exhibition opens Aug. 10 at the Southampton Historical Museum.

"Rist’s fascination with marine life predates his interest in portraying them in wood and paint by many years," the museum stated. "He uses plywood, old beach fencing, acrylic paint, and assorted items of hardware and transforms them into spectacular rough hewn, bas-relief, polychrome sculptures of vivid marine life."

He began sculpting in 2001, and told the museum his inspiration has been his days as a child nearly 50 years ago surfing at the cut at Flying Point Beach in Water Mill and roasting hand-caught flounder on the beach. A couple of his marine paintings will also be on display.

The exhibition is on display at the museum's Rogers Mansion at 17 Meeting House Lane from Aug. 10 to Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum admission is $4 for adults, and free for children and museum members. Admission to the opening reception, Aug. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m., is free. 

The exhibition is on display from Aug. 10 to Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum admission is $4 for adults, and free for children and museum members. Admission to the opening reception is free.