One Model, 15 photographers at Matrix Fine Art

In this intriguing exhibition, several different photographers were given the opportunity to photograph the same model. The idea for the show was originally developed in 2007. It grew out of a conversation that Pat Berrett had with model, Rose Bryan, who was the model for the first exhibition in 2007 at DCAC. The original show had one model and 20 photographers. A second show was organized by Berrett and Tim Anderson in 2010 with 15 photographers. The current exhibition is the third version and features model Minie Gonzalez.

Berrett says, “The basic concept is that as photographers, we all bring our past experiences to each photograph we create. Our past is the filter we see the world through. Each of us sees the model in light of our experiences. Using our differences as a starting point, we are all able to take the same subject and interpret it in ways that encourage the viewer to see the model from many viewpoints.” Participating artists in the current exhibition include Diane Alire, Tim Anderson, Roger Baker, Pat Berrett, Fernando Delgado, Joy Godfrey, Minie Gonzalez, John Goyer, Brian Griener, Oscar Lozoya, Wes Naman, Amy Parrish, Craig Roberts, Paula Scott, Crystal Sims and Doran Smith.

Matrix Fine Art was founded in 2007 by Regina Held. This contemporary gallery features painting, photography and ceramic ranging from abstract to figurative, and from landscapes to still life and pop art. Matrix Fine Art has several exhibitions a year with receptions on First Friday Artscrawls or Route 66 Artscrawls. For the last year years, Matrix Fine Art has been voted as Best Fine Art Gallery in Albuquerque by Local IQ and Albuquerque, The Magazine. Regina Held is also the founder and director of New Grounds Print Workshop & Gallery, founded in 1996 and located next to Matrix Fine Art.

Photo image credits: John Goyer, Minie and the Blue Guitar; Minie Gonzales, The Glory of the Grime; Roger Baker, Essence

Matrix Fine Art, 3812 Central Avenue SE, Suite 100 A & B, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (505) 268-8952, www.matrixfineart.com

Galeria de Corrales

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon in Corrales visiting the Galeria de Corrales. This co-operative gallery represents 24 local artists and craftspersons who media include fine oils, pastels, watercolors, photography, jewelry, sculpture and fiber arts. Among the many talents, visitors to the gallery will see artwork by Annette Galvano, Anita Blythe, Ed Goodman, Sandra Garcia, Eric de Boer, Cathy Gormley, Nina Baldwin, Molly Barnett, Sandy Tanner, Jasmine Tritten, Lou LaFrado, William McCoy, Rick Snow and Maxine Blom. Every other month, the gallery engages in a curating process of new artwork followed by an invitation-only Friday reception featuring the artists of the month.

Bill McCoy was volunteering his shift at the gallery when I stopped by. What an interesting man and an accomplished artist. He shared his life story with me, from his first art lesson as a child to his retirement as a letter carrier for the United State Post Office. Bill came from a family of artists and it was at the tender age of nine that one of his uncles took him outside and taught him about perspective. His uncle asked him to look down the street at the telephone poles to see how the each of them became smaller and smaller, even though in reality the poles were the same size. Bill didn’t fully grasp the concept of perspective until high school when he dabbled further into the arts.

After four years in the Navy, he went off to college and majored in Liberal Arts and Art History. Soon after graduation, he married and had a family. With four children to support, he felt that he couldn’t make a living as an artist so he took a job with the United States Post Office. Art never left him. With any free time he had, Bill continued to paint, drawl and assemble monochromatic and mixed media pieces. Now in his retirement years, Bill is a full time artist who clearly has reunited with his passion. Take a look for yourself at the abstract artwork that accompanies this review.

Galeria de Corrales, 3923 Corrales Road, Corrales, NM 87048, 505.890.4929, Open daily 10 am - 5 pm, www.galeriadecorrales.com