Yes, the exhibit at the Minthorne Gallery at George Fox is currently the faculty show. If you’re in Newberg you’ll have to drop by and check out what all of us have been up to. Here are some photos of the show to give you a peek:
My pieces (Muse, Surrender Everything, and Stream) on the wall.
Don Sprague's pottery and Gary Buhler's watercolors.
Large paintings by Doug Campell, on left Lori McLaughlin, with design work by David Kerr.
Books on left by Karen Badoin, with work by John Bennett and Mark Terry in the background
Saturday I went to a talk by the science fiction writer Ursala Le Guin, and the poet Eleanor Berry. Both had some curious things to say about the artists “muse.” Interesting enough, the painting above, simply titled “Muse” is part of the a new body of work I’m approaching involving creating a character in assemblage, and then doing a painting in oil of the sculpture. This work is currently featured in our faculty show at George Fox.
This configuration should have some familiarity with those that follow my work, as this pairing has occurred before. The message from Le Guin and Berry seemed to be to simply be faithful and responsible to your muse, your construction, and who you are called to be in the work you are creating. I’m intrigued that as an artist I feel the muse is not something I had any say in what it would be, or how it would function. Ones responsibility as a maker is simply to follow, to listen, and to be faithful. A relationship worth investing in, with no predetermined results (like all good relationships I would asertain).
A still of Pere Jules one of John Frames character for his tale.
D'Artand Confronts the Tottentanzers Before the Gate of Desire
While in Los Angeles last summer I discovered John Frame, a sculptor I admired from Southern California, had a new exhibit entitled Three Fragments of a Lost Tale at the Huntington. I had been introduced to his work through a fellow artist some time ago. It was a delight of a show. It was a dive into another world created by the Frame’s hand, and a grin erupted on my face when reading the recent newsletter for the Portland Art Museum. The exhibition is coming to Oregon February 18-May 27. Don’t miss it.
The exhibition consists of a running film of “fragments” of a story called The Tale of the Crippled Boy. Around the gallery space, sculptures of the figures from the film are arranged in tenebristic settings. Large photo stills of the story grace the walls as well.
Yes there are obvious reasons while I like this man’s work: he creates characters that he casts into narratives with one another, there is a profound sense of mystery to the pieces, craftsmanship is important in the creation of the work, and his work actually seems to have something to offer to the viewer beyond just tantalizing then with irony, or a trendy “gotcha” aesthetic. There is a profound sense that resonates with me in Frame’s work that the ordinary can become extraordinary, as well as the artists desire to create characters that carry truth or insight to the viewer.
Take some time on his website. He has much of the video work that he’s done there, as well as images of the work: http://johnframesculpture.com/the-tale Enjoy!
I find a variety of things influencing my art and life. For a winter night may I recommend two books I have read as of late that I found good fodder for thought? Here they be:
The Author Shusaku Endo
Title: Deep River Author: Shusaku Endo
His book Silence knocked my socks off many years ago with the harrowing dilemma of faith it proposed. Deep River continues examining faith this time looking at it through our longing for resolution both relationally and spiritually. Following a group of older Japanese tourists traveling to India, their back-stories unfurl before us revealing secret motives and hopes of resolution that are drawing all of them on the trip. Profoundly aware of a God that pursues us like a lover, Endo paints a broad picture of humanity longing for hope, connection, and redemption or simply journeying to say thank you.
Title: Doc Author: Mary Doria Russell
I fell in love with Mary Doria Russell with the amazing spiritual science fiction novels, The Sparrow, and Children of God. Creating the western themed historical novel Doc was a wonderful surprise to read from her. Still showing her skill in creating three-dimensional profoundly human characters, Doc follows the life of Doc Holiday, of the famous Tombstone Arizona gunfight. The books surprised me as being a story of friendship and survival. It’s worth your time indeed.
The Author Mary Doria Russell and her book “Doc” (Although unintentional with the photos I chose here, it seems to have your hand on your chin is a good move if you are an author getting your photo taken.)
Yes, the exhibit at the Minthorne Gallery at George Fox is currently the faculty show. If you’re in Newberg you’ll have to drop by and check out what all of us have been up to. Here are some photos of the show to give you a peek:
