JUNE, 2006 ExhibitionS

Possibilities: Paintings by Donna Mendes
Disassembly: Figurative Paintings by Marty McCorkle
Celebrating the Body through Art: Work by Nancy Ballard
Elsewhere: Places for The Spirit – New Paintings by Trish Booth
Real And Imaginary: Paintings by Bethany Ayres

Possibilities: Paintings by Donna Mendes

See other example of Donna Mendes work.

through July 5th

Donna Mendes’ recent work is an amalgamate of molded sculptural icons floating on and within a painted background. Neither entirely painting nor entirely sculpture, Mendes is constantly pushing the realms of experimentation in her work, on both the conceptual and physical level.

Mendes, while drawn to the beauty of organic and random patterns in nature and found objects, often inserts the human figure into her otherworldly landscapes to create a visual commentary on the bonds between human nature and the natural world. Mendes shares an allusive, contemplative world entirely of her own.

Her imagery comes from various sources, both real and imagined: Life, memory, photography and digitally manipulated media. There are certain images, such as leaves or rumbled cloth, that she is continually attracted to, suggesting the ephemeral nature of time and memory. The process of collecting these images (which can sometimes take months) is as much a part of her artistic vision as the actual making of her pieces.

A New York native, Mendes currently lives and works in Berkeley, CA.

Disassembly: Figurative Paintings by Marty McCorkle

through to July 5th

Can computer imagery be a compelling source for a painting or does it lead to a lifeless marriage of media?
Marty McCorkle’s work, a fusion of oil painting and computer technology, addresses the conflict between traditional arts and new media. McCorkle alters photographs using digital software and then paints the manipulated image onto canvas with oil paints.

But like mixing water and oil, this uneasy blend of the digital and traditional media generates a visual tension on the canvas. With ribbons of flesh tone blurring their edges and other parts seeming hollow, McCorkle‘s frequently recumbent figures appear to be awaiting assembly, yet hint at the rigor of his mechanical planning.

McCorkle’s work draws viewers into the question of whether a primitive, tradition-laden medium such as oil paint can be relevant in increasingly digital days.

Celebrating the Body through Art: Work by Nancy Ballard

through July 5th

International figurative artist Nancy Ballard can capture with a few gestural strokes on paper the unique spirit of her subject. Compromising rigorous, traditional representation for the sake of mood in her renderings, Ballard seemingly draws from a cool inner reserve of strength to bring her pastel and watercolor subjects to glowing, electric life.

Aggressive use of color distinguishes Ballard’s work, with her images often seemingly burning on the paper, or conversely, coolly sketched figures inhabit radiant paper backdrop. Her distinctive way of exaggerating less obvious colors and body language makes her work distilled, minimal, yet meaningful representations of her subjects.
Ballard lives and works in San Francisco, CA.

Elsewhere: Places for The Spirit – New Paintings by Trish Booth

through June 30th

Booth’s work has explored America’s southwest landscape and architecture. In this exhibition she includes architectural imagery from locations in other western states, Canada and Europe. Though Booth’s unpopulated spaces may serve as refuge for the spirit for some viewers, her imagery sometimes suggests ominous, surreal places.

Real And Imaginary: Paintings by Bethany Ayres

through June 30th

“Real and Imaginary” features the figurative paintings on plywood by Bethany Ayres at Esteban Sabar Art Gallery from May 5th to June 30th, 2006, with a reception for the artist on Friday, May 5th, from 5pm to 9pm.

Ayres’ figurative works on stained plywood with limited color palettes call to mind printed comics and commercial illustrations popular in the 1950’s. Working in oil and enamel paints on stained plywood, Ayres uses black outlines, speaking or thinking bubbles, and frequent flocks of angels to communicate with viewers in a familiar and disarming way.

Mostly female, her painting’s subjects often face moments of great danger or joy. At first glance, there seems to be nothing lighter than Ayres. Yet one is drawn to reexamine the way Ayres depicts women’s experience. Cartoon-like yet not caricatures, Ayres’ heroines face real life dilemmas in their comic book worlds.

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Artists on exhibition at the Esteban Sabar Gallery include Sue Averell, Bethany Ayres, Nancy Ballard, Trish Booth, Ron Carter & Deborah Rowan, Guy Colwell, Orion Fredericks, Eric Helsley, Albert Hwang, Wendell Jones, Zack Jones, John Kinstler, Douglas Light, Donna Mendes, Marty McCorkle, Kenney Mencher, Carol Paquet, Tim Phelan, Dana Porteos, Diego Rios, Erik Rogers, Bernadette Sale and Kevin Slagle.

See examples of each artist's work

Esteban Sabar Gallery
A member of Oakland Art Murmur, host of Oakland's First Friday Art Walk.

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