Contemporary Artifacts - works by Chris Meyer and Jenn Noel

Last Friday’s ARTScrawl led me to the Weyrich Gallery featuring Contemporary Artifacts with mixed media artist Chris Meyer and ceramics artist Jenn Noel. Gallery owner Valerie Tibbetts has created a show that combines Meyer’s modern photography, printing, traditional collage and assemblage techniques with Noel’s functional pottery, featuring earthy glazes and traditional symbols such as spirals. Both of their work gives the impression of being archaeological finds while still being recently made, fitting Weyrich's overall theme of "diverse works from dreams, folklore, myth and the earth”.

Jenn Noel grew up in Socorro, New Mexico and earned her BFA in graphic design with a minor in photography and marketing from Eastern New Mexico University. While working as a graphic designer, she had a creative outlet but felt something was missing. Her interest in pottery began when she returned to school at the University of New Mexico to pursue a nursing degree and by chance took a ceramic class on the Arita method of Japanese porcelain. This method continues to influence her art work even though she now works in stoneware. Noel is a ceramic artist who truly believes in art living in a functional space. She validates this by adding, “When you use handmade objects, it allows you to slow down and experience the beauty of the world.”

Chris Meyer is a fan of wabi-sabi - the “beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”. He admires the myriad details of natural and handmade objects. His pieces start as photographs of rocks, ruins, petroglyphs, and petrified wood found around the Four

Corners region of the Southwest. Meyer looks for shapes, patterns, and hidden meanings in those images, akin to the way an old-school Zuni carver studies a rock looking for an animal’s spirit to release. From there, he creates collages to emphasize those patterns, and then print his photos on top to unify these real and imaginary worlds. Meyer finishes by adding assemblage elements – including sticks, stones, beads, bones, feathers, fibers, and metals – to add dimension, both to the physical work as well as to its layers of meaning, with many of the items selected specifically to convey a story embodied in the final piece. 

In describing his unique process, Meyer says, “Rather than attempt to create a perfect print of my photos, I see the shapes they contain as a starting point. I study these images for patterns, then build collages out of various papers, symbols, and texts to emphasize the shapes, texture and mood of an individual photo.” Meyer has exhibited his one-of-kind art with many groups including Collage Artists of America, Los Angeles Experimental Artists, and The Society of Layerists in Multi-Media.

There will be a second reception for Contemporary Artifacts on Saturday, January 10th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Weyrich Gallery. At this reception, Chris Meyer will give an artist talk that will be videotaped for later posting on Facebook and YouTube. Contemporary Artifacts will hang through January 30th at Weyrich Gallery, 2935-D Louisiana Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, (505) 883.7410, www.weyrichgallery.com.

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

My Path to Enchantment ~ photography by Kate Livingston

Art can be found anywhere. Typically, I spend the first Friday of the month cruising Albuquerque eager to attend the ARTScrawl. This month, however, I was enjoying a tuna melt sandwich at the Cheese & Coffee Cafe one Saturday afternoon when I was seated directly in front of a stunning exhibition of photography produced by Kate Livingston. The title of the show intrigued me. When I inquired about the genesis for her series, Livingston explained, “I get very inspired by exploring new places, especially the spaces between towns that are more wide-open, and unusual little side-of-the-road attractions that you’d never experience if you took an airplane instead.”

Two Perspectives at The Gallery ABQ

First Friday’s ARTScrawl brought me to The Gallery ABQ for the opening reception of 2 Perspectives, featuring water media and drawings by Jerry Love and oil paintings by Jean Porter. In addition, Rebecca Nolda was present with her mixed media series Hidden City in the gallery salon. Art enthusiasts crowded the gallery as we all listened to Porter give her presentation on Artist Insights. 

Originally from New Jersey, Jean Porter was trained as a technical illustrator. Her varied experience includes electrical layouts, topography, electrical schematics to all kinds of illustration for publication. Porter has produced graphic designs, one of which was selected for the logo of the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair. Porter says, “My genre is Surrealism, using allegory, parody and analogy to make a statement, to a large extent I think that reality only exist in it’s perception.” Many times, Porter juxtaposes seemingly unrelated objects into a piece of art for the purpose of seeing their meanings in a whole new way.  

What Makes Art Great?

What is it about some works of art that allows them to stand the test of time? What is it exactly that make a work of art truly memorable and truly great? There are many beautiful works of art and many more that are surprising, innovative, and thought provoking, but of all the art produced in the world in any given year, very few pieces are exceptional. “Great” art manages to satisfy its viewers at a deeper level than the rest.

For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of critiquing fine art in the Southwest from as far north as Taos to the southern town of Truth or Consequences. Today, I’ve chosen local artists that exemplifies the meaning of greatness in the categories of Narrative, Beauty, Realism, Form, Movement, Symbolism and Expression. The featured artists’ works have been looked at in an analytical way in order to assess what it is that makes each one so successful in its own field.

Narrative

Chris Meyer - Most of his work originates as photographs of rocks and similar natural forms. Meyer studies these images for patterns, then build collages out of various papers, symbols, and texts to emphasize the shapes, texture and mood of an individual photo. Adding assemblage elements – including sticks, stones, beads, bones, feathers, fibers, and metals – to add dimension: both to the physical work, as well as to its layers of meaning. When done, he leaves it to the viewer to play the roll of archaeologist, studying the resulting artifact for clues of when and where it came from, imagining what purpose it served for the unknown culture that created it.

Art by Elguera

Ron Elguera’s visual art is provocative, daring, colorful, imaginative, expressive and wonderful all at the same time. To really understand the depth of the genius behind his art, one must first grasp Elguera’s humble beginnings.

Elguera lived in Peru as a youth where he began painting at the age of 10. He followed this with an extensive study of the cello beginning at 18. Elguera says, “My cello studies taught me to absorb the laws of perspective, composition, design, human figure, anatomy, portraiture, color theory and tonal plans.” After a number of years as an actor on the New York stage, Elguera moved to Southwest and graduated from the University of New Mexico, majoring in art and art history. He studied all the great masters from Giotto to Marcel Duchamp and Picasso. Elguera considers himself a greatly diversified artist, with a particular emphasis on portraits. He specializes in the “alla prima” style which requires only one sitting for a portrait.

Anita Daniels - ASD Glassworks

Red Vessel - Pate De Verre
ASD Glassworks

Anita Daniels of ASD Glassworks is the featured artist for August. Daniels says, "My design inspiration comes from my love of textiles.  The wide variety of vibrant colors and patterns inspire my  designs.  I take pride in every custom piece produced and take great care in order to produce art that I would be proud to display in my own home. I have a degree in chemistry and industrial arts and have taught a variety of different art classes in different mediums.   As a Bullseye trained artist of glass, I received instruction from some of the best teachers in the industry.

Mark Horst ~ Figures & More

Last Saturday, July 5th, was the opening reception for Mark Horst’s Figures & More exhibition at Sumner & Dene Creations in Art. Positive energy filled the gallery as many friends and locals came by to see the latest series in Horst’s signature artwork.

Horst is a figurative expressionist painter with a large following; Many who have become as enamored with his art work as I have. Author, teacher and painter Martin Shaw says, “Mark Horst carries a quiver full of painterly gifts. His startling work reveals wild pinpricks of the eternal, often in the subtlest of images. Make no mistake, the paintings sometimes hold our feet to the flame-a door between a collectively understood image and some new paint-spirit that comes hurtling through. Not always a comfortable experience. Horst is one of the few new painters to hold the paradox of tradition and innovation within him- there is brilliance here.”

SURFACE: Emerging Artists of New Mexico

Last Friday’s ARTScrawl led me to the opening reception of the group show SURFACE and the solo show PARCHED featuring the work of Jane Gordon at the Harwood Art Center.

SURFACE: Emerging Artists of New Mexico is an annual juried exhibition, professional development and endowed cash awards program presented by Harwood Art Center in partnership with Albuquerque Art Business Association. This year’s show includes 13 exceptionally talented, committed artists - each in a different stage of emergence: Isaac Alaridpease, Mia Casesa, Chris Casey, Jessica Chao, Xuan Chen, Christa Dalian, Beverly Fisher, Holly Grimm, Bryce Hample, Dani Jeffries, Georgina Latino, Jamie Porter Lara, and Tera Muskrat. 

Paa-ko Fine Artists

Under the direction of Dave Daniels, eight exceptional fine artists working in a variety of media presented an impressive debut exhibition this past weekend at the Paa-Ko events center in Sandia Park, New Mexico. Featured artists included Gloria Casale, Anita Daniels, Jane Gaines, Rich Irwin, Semiramis, Dorothy McGeorge, Chris and Trish Meyer.

Ceramic sculptor Rick Irwin is a self-taught artist who began to pursue a lifelong interest in ceramics as he phased out his practice of optometry in Austin. From the beginning he gravitated toward hand-building due to the great versatility of form it offers. His work has gradually morphed from functional pieces to more complex sculptural forms, primarily figurative. The very talented Irwin says, “I never tire of the places clay takes you, the satisfaction of watching a piece develop during the forming process, the anticipation of opening the kiln to see the finished piece for the first time, and the warm feeling when someone actually likes a piece enough to take it home.”