Some of My Favorites at "True North"
I am thrilled to be included in the True North exhibit at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art. The juried show, which runs through January 15, 2023, includes work by 43 artist who live in Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Solano Counties. I think the whole exhibit is outstanding, but here a few of my favorites.
Even though this piece’s organic form and glazes allude to a distant epoch, the end result is a contemporary statement. As you walk around this sculpture, the shape changes. I like the high-contrast striping that serves as a “counter melody” to the weighty form.
This seriously playful piece shows how ceramics can take on a conceptual role. Aged and faded primary red and blue colors contrast the two unlikely partners. The forms allude to military or nautical devices. California Funk art roots are present. The piece is comical and menacing at the same time, and as a result holds a lot of staying power for the viewer.
Another California Funk-inspired piece, Carrington’s breezy, personal and intimate painting of a fun but ”haunted” studio succeeds on several levels. It’s a tour through the artist’s mind, perhaps a preview of projects yet to be revealed, and/or an archeological exposé of high and low culture. Carrington uses water media to his advantage, creating breezy transparencies and a casual but focused reportage feeling. I love this piece. There’s a lot here to enjoy!
How is this piece different from an Audubon print? Or from a Robert Bateman wildlife painting? How is this different that seeing roadkill on the side of the highway? Certainly Audubon and Bateman are about answering questions. Steinmetz's piece leaves the viewer asking them. The beauty and details of the piece draw you in closer, but the portrayal of death (or extinction?) push you away. The Victorians framed pressed flowers, butterflies and spiral arrangements of human hair, all of which froze life for observation and contemplation. This is a powerful piece that is not saccharine or sentimental - nor is it clinical. The presentation fits the art. The paper, clipped to the wall, speaks to the vulnerability and temporary nature of life.
This grid design done with horse hair has a brittle feeling. The formal grid structure provides an interesting contrast to the material used. This can be a meditation piece - like an Agnes Martin painting, or a conceptual piece ("crafty" embroidery elevated to fine art). It is a great accomplishment when spartan and simple means end up rendering complex and beautiful results, as in this piece.
Ruddell’s painting captures a haunting mix of ecstasy and fear. There are experiences that we have that are ours alone, and I feel this painting portrays that.
Aside from the open-ended narrative in this painting, the picture offers a whirlwind tour of multiple light sources, compositional intrigues and layers of spacial planes - all adding up to a contemporary classic - somewhat like a silent opera. This painting is truly a show-stopper!
True North is showing only through January 15, 2013.
This is a good one! Don’t miss it!
Museum hours: Fridays through Sundays, 11am - 4pm
New Years Eve: 11am - 2pm
New Years Day: 11am - 4pm
Location: 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa, California
Note: Sonoma Highway is also known as Carneros Highway and as Hwy 12
Admission: $20 general, $17 seniors (65+), military, students, FREE age 17 and under, and educators with school ID
