RATIO 3 - JOHN PENCE - VORRES

CCA WATTIS INSTITUTE

03.13.15 Part I

(with assistance from Agnieszka Pilat and RWM)



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Ratio 3 Gallery: Miriam Böhm - At On.

Comment by AB: Precision perfection in chromogenic prints by Miriam Böhm fall into two categories, representation of three dimensions in two by means of intersecting parallelagrams, and compositions of similar shapes that float in space but don't intersect, somewhat reminiscent of Russian Suprematism. But the cream of this show are her prints on intersecting panels of glass, looking so much like thin strips of applied walnut veneer you can hardly believe they're not. Add exact framing by Peter Kirkeby and you've got yourself some winners. Definitely worth a look.

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John Pence Gallery: David A Leffel and Donald Demers.

Review by Agnieszka Pilat: For some people Friday the 13th is associated with bad luck and a horrible horror movie from the 80s, but today's date doesn't deter John Pence from hosting an opening for one of the most respected contemporary realist masters-- David A. Leffel. The gallery never disappoints and tonight is yet another awesome event. They show a great number of phenomenal artists but David Leffel is a legend. This is my first time meeting him in person and I'm blown away by how fun and approachable he is. I have a short conversation with the artist and this is the essence of it:

AP: How long did it take you to paint this piece? (Pointing at one of his still lives.)

David Leffel: Forty years. (Laughing.)

I have been familiar with Leffel's likeness from his many self-portraits and I was expecting a man of a notable statue, rather tall and commanding. I expected him to be intimidating and grand. Leffel is nothing like that-- he is a warm, gentle human being; he is rather petite and almost fragile and has a great contagious smile. Seeing him next to his paintings is a real treat as he draws a large crowd of people, young and old, who want to shake his hand.

Leffel's pieces are all located in the central room of John Pence Gallery and it is wonderful to see how harmonious and rich his color palette is. He is the master of color and light-- his figures are breathing and we want to reach out and touch the objects in his still lives. This is a must-see show. Even though most of us regular mortals can't afford to buy his art (one of the larger pieces is priced at a whooping $225,000!), it's a phenomenal experience to see his masterpieces in person.

Review by RWM: Wonderful oceanscapes by Donald Demers. Nice to see the wind, tide, waves and ships captured. Invigorating experiences here at the shore. Beautiful action underway and painted with precision. One may want to squint their eyes because of the sunlight captured in the paintings.

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Vorres Gallery: Elemental Imagery - James Groleau and Hodo Lee.

Comment by AB: Zoom in close on James Groleau's finely textured abstracts to fully appreciate the discipline required to create them. Meditations on meticulousness. Hodo Lee's horizon line photographs remind us that mankind's accomplishments are infinitesimal considering the vastness of the heavens and earth.

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CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts: Martin Wong - Painting Is Forbidden.

Comment by AB: A considerable retrospective selection of works by Martin Wong (1946-1999) includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and all kinds of calligraphy. Difficult social, political and urban issues are often addressed. If you like art for art's sake, art made without commercial considerations, or artists who aren't afraid to make you think, you'll appreciate what's on exhibit here.

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