Life Lines - Serigraphs and Linoleum Prints by Knicki Markolf

New Grounds Print Workshop and Gallery celebrated their 20th anniversary this past weekend during First Friday’s ARTScrawl featuring a solo exhibition by Canadian printmaker Knicki Markolf. The gallery buzzed with local art enthusiasts eagerly participating in the hourly art raffle and enjoying the celebratory cake and good vibrations. Later in the evening, all eyes were on Markolf as she led a riveting linocut demonstration.

Markolf creates bold serigraphs and linoleum prints that explore the internal and external world, using vibrant patterns to reveal delicate connections. She believes we are the weavers of our lives, and as such, we are the fringe dwellers - we live on the edge of our fabric. What is already woven is our past, that which is unwoven is our future, and in the present moment we are on the edge of creation. 

As an artist, Markolf is fascinated by the ways in which decorative patterns have been used to create a sense of importance or sacredness. Her work explores the sacred connections between everything using the threads of our lives. She works with knot designs, as well as new representational and abstract shapes, shaping ideas of binding and unbinding. 

Markolf believes, “Art making is like falling in love, like opening a present. It is an ongoing process of letting go of preconceived ideas, listening & watching rather than arguing. I let my medium have its way with me, aiding me in unravelling its mystery, teaching me its story. I am a romantic spiritualist and my life is deeply interior. I like movement that is inward, downward and deep to allow for mystery. That is what art making is about, bringing that mystery forward.”

Touch/Tone at Matrix Fine Art

 It’s always a joy to return to Matrix Fine Art, the sister gallery of New Grounds Print Workshop and Gallery. Director Regina Held assembles cutting edge art shows that consistently draw the crowds in regardless of the season. When I attend her exhibitions, I often pause for a moment to take in the swirl of gallery activity. This time I realized what sets it apart is the live printing press demonstration that is a welcomed break during the evening show.

Artists William Ruller and Saul Hoffman join Susan Reid in this group exhibition of textured abstract paintings that beg to be touched. Ruller creates large, tangible, subtly colored geometric paintings. He combines oil paint with textures of crumbled brick and concrete to represent the frailties of humanity; and the erosion of lives that once existed. Hoffman’s clay mosaics are diametrically opposed to Ruller’s in that they are bursting with small, colorful and almost candy-like details and pattern.  Middle ground is created by the aboriginal inspired dot paintings of Susan Reid.  Her deliberate geometric pattern have a meditative, yet mesmerizing quality about them that is uniquely her own.

Female Gaze/Male Figure at Matrix Fine Art

How do women view men? Is it through the lens of desire or objectivity? What does it mean to reverse the roles and examine how women look at men? 

This show, curated by Diane Alire, was to feature eight female photographers exploring the concept of “the female gaze” by photographing the male nude. However, only six of the original eight photographers presented their work at the exhibition. The idea for the show came from the companion exhibition “One Model, 15 Photographers” previously at Matrix Fine Art in which one female model was photographed by fifteen photographers.

Participating artists include Lisa Tremaine, Kyle Zimmerman, Ann Bromberg, Kate Livingston, Aaron Marie and Diane Alire. Kyle Zimmerman says, “I think the lens that we view each other is more complex than only desire or objectivity. I am female/I am male. I am me/I am you.” Her piece Legacy is a story about the feminine quality in the male to nurture, to hold, to stay. Her piece Reach is a riff on the old classic Vitruvian Man - a study in perfect proportions and standards. Zimmerman says, “For me, perfection is about the reach we all have to enforce our destiny. Man. Woman. Us.”

Kate Livingston poignantly describes the experience of photographing the male figure by stating, “As a female artist, I know the way I see men is generally different than a male artist views a woman. I believe that women see things with a little more grace or delicateness, a softer beauty, if you will. There isn’t a feeling of, ‘that is so sexy,’ but more like, ‘that is so beautiful.’

Livingston also mentioned that when she picked her model some of her considerations were, ‘Would I feel comfortable working with him?’ ‘Is there any connection?’ She imagine that a male photographer might not even consider these questions when choosing a female model. 

Livingston chose the outdoor setting at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. She brought two assistants with her to block the trail on either side to make the model feel safe. Livingston says, “Tent Rocks is a part of my feminine self. The hike isn’t too challenging or long, and it’s got twists and turns just like emotions. It has slot canyons that fill with water in a storm, but for the most part are very dry and protected from the hot sun.” Her two pieces titled Strength and Perseverance are named for qualities that she says many men possess, but they are also qualities within her.

Female Gaze/Male Figure will hang through December 27th at Matrix Fine Art located in Albuquerque’s historic Nob Hill, 3812 Central Avenue SE, Suite 100 A, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (505) 268-8952, www.matrixfineart.com

Text Me ~ Paintings by Matthew Lutz

Last Friday, I took a friend with me to view the exhibition of Matthew Lutz’s newest work - Text Me currently showing at Matrix Fine Art. Lutz’s current body of work is influenced by modern technology and street graffiti, using traditional oil painting techniques to depict human interaction in the digital age which explains why at least one or more subjects in each painting is holding a cell phone. 

In Lutz’s paintings, we see elements of Cubism - where objects are broken up, analyzed, and reassembled in an abstracted form - instead of depicting his subject’s arms as complete with hands, Lutz breaks the continuity of the hands and places them somewhere else as seen in his Tommy @ 3 painting. In addition, Lutz especially admires the works of Pablo Picasso; elements like the elongated limbs, arresting colors, and mystical visages are evident in his paintings Tornado and Stand. 

This exhibition also includes Lutz’s Life Paintings, a body of work that underscores the impact that one person’s life, no matter how temporary or fragile, can have on others. Each piece projects flowers through the foreground, inviting the viewer into the image, into the subject’s life. Some of the people who have influenced Lutz’s own life are no longer alive, but painting a flower in full bloom has allowed him to capture a moment when they were in their splendor. According to Lutz, “The blossom itself dies long before the painting is complete, yet the image remains for others to see and admire. It’s the same with posterity - the positive impact of one person’s existence continues for future generations.” 

Matthew Lutz is both an artist and educator. Born and raised in Indiana, he now has his home and studio in New Mexico. Lutz received his Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Taylor University in 1996. He then spent a year in South Korea teaching and creating woodblock prints in his studio. In 2001, he entered the University of New Mexico, but his degree program and work was interrupted by a spinal injury. He earned his MFA with Distinction in 2005. Throughout his graduate program, Lutz was awarded numerous fellowships from both private and public funds.

Text Me - Paintings by Matthew Lutz will run through April 28th at Matrix Fine Art, 3812 Central Avenue SE, Suite 100 A, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (505) 268-8952, www.matrixfineart.com

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