Exhibition: The Sixteenth Square

I recently attended the opening reception for the The Sixteenth Square exhibition hosted by 5G Gallery at the Factory on 5th Art Space. This exhibition includes four painters, Chris Pendelton, Allen Colmenares, Brandon Atencio and Zane White, and four ceramic artists, Evan Speegle, Nikki Denisson, Casey Pendergast and Becky Hefty. Opening night also included three music acts, Bat Wings for Lab Rats, Bullet Tooth, and Mat Thomas. The combination of art and music was well received and the energy felt at the reception was similar to that of an opening night at a New York art exhibition.

The concept for The Sixteenth Square exhibition began with the show’s director Zane White who had showed his work at the 5G Gallery at “The Peoples Art Show” in March 2011. He really enjoyed the show, the energy of the artists and the layout of the art gallery. This lead Zane to talk to his fellow friends and artists that he attended UNM with about the art space. He pulled together artists who were actively making art on their own and were interested in creating a group show. Together they voted on the name of the show after each member submitted a title. It was Nikki Denisson’s submission of The Sixteenth Square that won over the group. She defined her title as a play on words and numbers; eight artists by two types of art medium integrated with musical art equals The Sixteenth Square.

The Exhibition explores and captures the essence of “sacred space” within many diverse social themes and across conventional social boundaries. There were no limitation imposed on any of the artists involved concerning the content, material, or display choice, so the result is a very dynamic representation of sacred space across cultural, artistic, and personal preconceptions. The painters represent many differing approaches to depiction including traditional naturalism, surrealism, street art, pop art, symbolism, and complete abstraction. The ceramic artists also represent many differing approaches to working in clay including sculpture, fine vessel making, and wide range of firing atmospheres, texture and pallet. 

The Sixteenth Square exhibition will hang through February 24th at the 5G Gallery at the Factory on 5th Art Space, 1715 Fifth Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107, (505) 385-2428. 

Fall Treasures

A visit to The Old Schoolhouse Gallery is always a delightful experience. Sharon Marks, gallery owner, has assembled a Fall Treasures show from artists that include Lois Bradley, Casey Pendergast, Tricia Love, Lesley Long, Cheryl Kabala, David Schneider and two new artists, Gene Case and George Howard Hayes III. I've been a fan of Casey’s ceramic art for some time. His clay pieces are influenced by both organic themes and industrial design. Tricia Love is also a favorite of mine with her realistic watercolor paintings and limited edition pen and ink prints. I recently purchased two of her classic pieces, “Milk Cans” and “Tailgate Chilis," for my guest room at home. 

It was the artwork of Gene Case that caught my eye today. Her multi-media, wall sculptures are made of reclaimed metal, ribbons, twistie-ties, book marks, and jewelry pieces, meticulously woven together and mounted on polished wood frames. The artwork is beautiful. Only upon closer inspection do the materials used look familiar to the viewer. Also, noteworthy is the work of George Howard Hayes III (nicknamed Hauie, which often appears on his artwork). Each of Hauie’s paintings feature vivid colors and subtle nuances; all carefully crafted with precise attention to detail. Hauie’s broad range of paintings include everything from Abstract, Fantasy, Flower, Myth to Nature and Portraits. He has a handful of visually pleasing art on view at the gallery but to fully understand the breath of his work you must visit his website at www.hauieart.com.

Fall Treasures will hang during the month of October at The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, 12504 North Hwy.14, Sandia Park, NM ~ 505.281.1250