| From August 28 through September 25, The Folk Tree
presents “bODy pARts”, an exhibition
focusing on human anatomy and physiognomy as vehicles through which
to explore issues such as body image, beauty, identity, nature, science,
violence, and the bizarre. The public is invited to a reception for
the artists on Saturday, August 28, from 2 – 6 P.M. This invitational includes steel sculpture by Michael Amescua, 3D mixed media by Patricia Anders, mixed media paintings by Winifred Brewer, ceramic sculpture by Beverly Crist, acrylic painting on wood by Nancy Romero, fiberwork by Dinah Sargeant, assemblage by Dan Van Clapp, and knotting by Darlyn Susan Yee. Some of the objects on display comment on concepts of beauty and traditional gender roles, as in the collaged paintings of Brewer, Crist’s ceramics and Yee’s knotted sculpture. Amescua fabricates over-sized steel milagros referencing the religious charms used for healing and as votive offerings throughout Latin America. Romero addresses physical pain and illness in her disconnected body parts created from cutout and painted wood, but also recalls the joys of breastfeeding in another piece. The human tendency towards violence, mankind’s foibles and thirst for power are all rich sources for the disturbing and darkly humorous assemblages of Van Clapp. Van Clapp’s studio is an “arsenal” of found objects, waiting to become part of his provocative tableaux. He comments, “Like Monty Python and Mash, my work is a satirical spoof of deadly serious themes — a fun house mirror reflecting the absurdity of our popular culture construction of war and patriotism.” Anders shows edgy, slightly grotesque, and somewhat Tim Burtonesque figures. Her work can be categorized as “pop surrealist.” The artist describes the process by which she conceived of pieces for this show, “I woke up at 4:30 in the morning…First I thought of hybrids and then I thought about Dr Frankenstein, sewing together parts to create a person/creature and decided, that would be my approach.” The human body and its individual components are powerful visual symbols, and each artist represented in this exhibition interprets the theme in fascinating and unique ways. The Folk Tree is located at 217 South Fair Oaks Avenue, minutes walking distance from the Gold Line’s Del Mar Station (and just fifteen minutes from downtown Los Angeles off the end of the 110 freeway) near the heart of Old Pasadena. Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. For more information, contact The Folk Tree at 626/795-8733 or Gail Mishkin at 626/793-4828. |
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