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SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERIES OPENINGS

FIRST THURSDAY - 02.04.10 Part II

(with assistance from RWM, Anna L. Conti, Geoff Smith, Pilar Vree and Anna Seven)

Caldwell Snyder Gallery: Marta Penter.

Review by RWM: One need not wonder here why some need sunglasses. The bright images and objectifications are startling and direct to the eyes. The works are voyeuristic and one feels almost like a Peeping Tom taking in clandestine views. Marta Penter challenges us to reexamine our peering and looking, which seems strangely uncomfortable to others out on the streets today, and to wonder whether we share in the guilt.

Comment by AB: According to Brazilian artist Marta Penter, her paintings are about intimacy, and in a sense, reactions to the increased physical distances and decreased human contact between people resulting from globalization and the internet. They also reflect her upbringing around women and comment on the nature of female relationships.

Paintings by artist Marta Penter.

Marta Penter art.

Marta Penter and her art.

Art by Marta Penter.

Marta Penter painting.

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Jenkins Johnson Gallery: An American Sound - Dedicated to the Memory of Hillary Howard Matthewson.

Photographers: Ray Fisher, William Paul Gottlieb, Sy Kattelson, Gjon Mili, Hank O'Neal, Gordon Parks, W. Eugene Smith, Dennis Stock, Ed Van Der Elsken.

Comment by Anna L. Conti: Group show of archival photos of jazz musicians.

Jazz photography at Jenkins Johnson Gallery.

Vintage jazz black and white photographs.

Jazz artist photos.

Jenkins Johnson altitudinary (image c/o Anna L. Conti).

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Hespe Gallery: 2009 Rewind.

Artists: Steven Albert, Donald Fritz, Kim Cogan, Alyssa Monks, Robert Townsend, Eric Zener.

Comment and images by Anna L. Conti: Group show of new work from gallery artists. Mostly well executed academic realism with a contemporary flair.

Art by Alyssa Monks (one on right is "Lips" - 34" x 46").

Waterolors by Robert Townsend (20" x 20" and 20" x 30").

Kim Cogan painting on left - Alyssa Monks paintings on right.

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Frey Norris Gallery: Tomokazu Matsuyama - In Case You're Lost.

Comment by AB: Colorful energized cross-cultural escapades by Tomokazu Matsuyama interweave Japanese and American themes, myths, icons and characters, and in so doing, express the artist's "ambivalence about staying put and adopting any one culture as a source of strength or belonging." Good art. Recommended viewing.

What it is. Art by Tomokazu Matsuyama.

Tomokazu Matsuyama art.

Art by Tomokazu Matsuyama.

Tomokazu Matsuyama art.

Art by Tomokazu Matsuyama.

Tomokazu Matsuyama sculpture.

Art by Tomokazu Matsuyama.

***

Hangart Gallery: Measure Twice, Cut Once - Tim Yankosky.

Review by RWM: Odd juxtapositions of the natural with instruments and signs of measurement. It is not clear what is being said about science. Does it diminish or enhance the wondrous creatures presented. Though more interesting, and in a way personally representative, the figures of life seem overshadowed by impersonal methodology.

Comment and images by Anna L. Conti: Mixed media paintings, mostly involving birds, fish, and metal rulers. Careful and thoughtful craftsmanship highlights the contrast between the delicate beauty of Life and the unyielding finality of Time. Stunning work-- my favorite of the evening.

Art by Tim Yankosky.

Tim Yankosky art closer.

Tim Yankosky and his art.

Paintings by artist Tim Yankosky.

Hangart Gallery frontal.

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Kokoro Studio: Zoom Zoom Zoom - Nature's Happy Trail - Shinyung Shwartz.

Review and images by Geoff Smith: Kokoro Studio presents the one person show "Zoom Zoom Zoom - Nature's Happy Trail," featuring the art of Shinyung Shwartz, a Bay Area based artist by way of Parsons School of Design in New York City.

In this series of paintings Schwartz provides one artist's view of the beauty and complexity of life as it might appear under the lens of a microscope, revealing detail and colors otherwise hidden from the naked eye in the world around us. Through her art she provides a conduit to our fundamental constituents, including the cellular entities that make up the very fiber of our being. Her work allows the viewer to explore below the surface, providing a stunning glimpse into an otherwise unseen world. The images possess a unique beauty of color, form and design, and impart a refreshing appreciation for the fundamental designs of life itself.

From Schwartz's artist statement... "As an artist I have always been compelled and fascinated by nature. Of course, the beauty and grandeur in the big scheme of things will always be enthralling, but I am more intrigued by the minute details and patterns found in the tiniest of places, that which goes unseen to the naked eye. Understanding these exquisitely complex blueprints that make up our everyday world are what drives me as an artist. I want to magnify the minuscule into the large and make people ask themselves What in the world is that?"

Schwartz has experience as a graphic designer after graduating in 2007 from Parsons in New York. This Koroko exhibition may be Schwartz's first gallery one person show, although she already has a second show scheduled for next month in New York. The quality of her work is impressive, particularly for this early stage of her career. I look forward to checking out her new work and future shows as they unfold.

Art by Shinyung Shwartz.

Shinyung Shwartz and her art.

Art by Shinyung Shwartz closer.

Attendance figures for show by artist Shinyung Shwartz.

Ever Gold Gallery: Snakes in the Grass - New Works by Massan, Featuring PEZ 1.

Comment by AB: The gallery is a complete zoo for this streetwise intercontinental urban romp courtesy of New York (formerly San Francisco) photographer and celebrity member of the International Urban Cycling community, Massan Fluker. Also on the docket, a full-tilt graf extravaganza in the back room by PEZ 1, complete with painted vinyl record albums for $60 each. I get so jostled up at one point, I think I might have sprained a nipple.

Photography by Massan Fluker.

Photo by Massan Fluker.

Massan Fluker photography.

Jillian Mackintosh in da house - photos by Massan Fluker.

Massan Fluker cycling artifacts & accouterments.

Art installation by PEZ 1.

Relative density.

***

Museum of Craft and Folk Art: Rhythm and Hues - Cloth and Culture of Mali.

Comment and images by Anna L. Conti: This place is hopping-- full of people, live music & art: "Rhythm and Hues", textiles, puppets and other art from Mali, West Africa. the artist was not identified for most pieces.

Hand-carved marionettes, made by Broulaye Camara. Approximately life-sized, these figures are actually costumes with masks, that actors wear and dance with.

Fabric from Mali. Note Barack Obama commemorative fabric, top, second from right.

Fabric hung from the ceiling shows nicely under lights.

Out front.

***

VASF Gallery at RVCA: Hand Over Fist.

Artists: Jason Jagel, Ryan Bubnis, Katy Horan, Derek Albeck, Paul Ulrich, Jessie Rose Vala, Tahiti Pehrson, Marco Zamora. Curated by Gabe Scott.

Review and images by Pilar Vree: RVCA's latest art show is a quality exhibition of a range of style and interesting pieces. Many of the artists show work that can stand alone in a solo show, such as Tahiti Pehrson's intricate and dramatic cut outs and Marco Zamora's thoughtfully colored paintings. A well curated show with exciting art.

Art by Katy Horan.

Art by Ryan Bubnis.

Art by Jason Jagel.

Art by Jason Jagel.

Art by Marco Zamora.

Art by Marco Zamora.

Art by Tahiti Pehrson.

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The Luggage Store Gallery: jumbo prawns art club*. Curated by Yarrow Slaps.

Artists: Scatha Allison, Jason Dunman, Julian Prince Dash.

Comment by AB: The studios of three Bay Area artists/designers are literally packed up and transported to The Luggage Store for the duration of the show. In fact, that is the show. Scatha Allison, Jason Dunman and Julian Prince Dash make it right there in front of you, and then you get to buy it fresh off the racks, walls and tables. Part of The Luggage Store Short Cuts Program to identify and support young emerging artistic talents.

Art studio installation.

Art studio installation.

Art (sorta like it).

Art.

Art studio installation.

Art.

***

Cafe Royale: Jessica Laurent.

Review and images by Geoff Smith: Artist and Curator Jessica Laurent is exhibiting a number of her smaller collage works in a show entitled "Structural Insolence" at Café Royale. Laurent has been living and working in San Francisco since 2007 after completing her BFA at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. When she moved from Wisconsin to San Francisco, Laurent also transitioned from life-sized sculptural works to "pocket-sized" collages. In her artists' statement Laurent says, "These collages are a kind of antithesis to the sculptures and are concerned with breaking the laws inherent in 3-d work. Spaces are constructed and fall apart again using only a few shapes and colors while simple breakdowns in perspective blur the lines between material and ethereal, function and non-function." Her most recent collages include those with three-dimensional nets and figures. These were preceded by collages with more geometric shapes and checkerboard designs.

Laurent's collages contain interesting shapes, designs, and ideas. However, in my view the small size of these "transitional" pieces is more in keeping with a tentative exploratory phase of artistic development. I found myself hoping that Laurent will continue in the new direction she has taken and complete her transition to include larger and bolder work.

Artist Jessica Laurent (right) & collage art.

Jessica Laurent collage art from 2008 and 2010.

Jessica Laurent collage art (net and paper) from 2010.

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111 Minna Gallery: Wonderland. Curated by Irene Hernnandez-Feiks.

Artists: Aaron Johnson, Alex Garcia Ferrá, Amandalynn, andrzej michael karwacki, Angela Scrivani, Ben Collison, Brian Barneclo, Brooke Farrington, Chris Stokes, Christie Newman, Cinthia Dennis, Conor Burns, Daniel J. Valadez, David Rozelle, DEEPSI{X}, Erin Schroeder, Faith Allen, Ferris Plock, Fidel Lirio, Freda Bank, "elle", Gianluca Franzese, GINNE, Hilary Williams, Ian Ross, Jaiv1, Jason Michael Aumann, Jeff Neugebauer, Jeffrey Nemenzo, Jenny Wehrt, Jeremy Mann, Jocelyn Meggai, John Patrick Campbell, Jonah Burlingame, Kelly Tunstall, Kimi Recor, Krescent Carasso, kukula, Lady Millard, Lee Harvey Roswell, Manny Fabregas, Marcus Herrera, MARIAFATIMA URBI, Mary Syring, merkley???, Misha Vladimirskiy, Natalia Gomez, Paul Trapani, "Ptah Amen", Rebecca Peters, Robert Garcia, Romanowski, Samanta Tello, Slava Likhatchev, Spencer Hansen, Steve Javiel, Telopa, Ursula Xanthe Young, Yuri Psinakis, Yvette Buigues.

Review by Anna Seven: Irene Hernandez-Feiks selects works by dozens of local art stars for this exhibition. It's the epitome of diversity, then add in all the DJs and video installation and you get the full picture of this reception. Wonderland takes up the entire venue-- two rooms each with a bar, and there are more people than place can possibly handle, turning out in bevies of droves despite a heavy rain. I can't judge DJs since I understand nothing of modern music but there are all varieties of visual art including a smattering of pieces to my taste. Some works are already sold, at least that's my guess since they have red dots on the name tags. To be honest, I may be go to see Wonderland one more time because place is so crowded that it's really difficult to see work that you like without being bothered by or bothering someone else. Tons of happy young people, though, but definitely a nightmare for a claustrophobe. It's plainly obvious that the reception is a success.

Art by Lee Harvey Roswell (two in the center).

Art by Lee Harvey Roswell (no one paints 'em quite like he does).

A couple by Brian Barneclo up there on top.

Art by Amandalynn (left).

Art by Telopa (upper left).

Art.

This one looks pretty spiffy from a distance - couldn't get any closer.

Art by Kelly Tunstall & Ferris Plock.

Art.

Art.

Art.

Art.

***

Fivepoints Arthouse: Cultural Artifacts. Curated by Jessica Wallen.

Artists: Lee Harvey Roswell, Dion Campbell, Weston Teruya, Ross Campbell, Marin Camille Hood.

Review by Geoff Smith: Curator Jessica Wallen organized this show entitled "Cultural Artifacts-- An Object Affection." To quote Wallen the show attempts to explore questions such as... "What will we leave behind; what do we treasure? What meaning do we attach to objects in our daily lives, and what do we project onto replications of them?"

The work of Lee Harvey Roswell is particularly appealing to me visually with it's highly imaginative, colorful, detailed, surrealistic renderings of unusual and obscure subject matters. Roswell is apparently self-taught which is quite amazing given the quality of his work.

I find Marin Camille Hood's embroidery pieces to be quite thought-provoking, given the evident contrasts between the embroidery medium itself, the stitching of bones and remains, and the delicate nostalgic background fabrics.

Dion Campbell is another self-taught artist. From her artist's statement... "She has developed her natural talent by moving from city to city at home and abroad, painting portraits of the people she meets. Her large brush strokes on raw canvas look like gestural drawings, capturing the energy and complicated layers of her subjects, but leaving room for mystery." Her work definitely has a mysterious quality that I like.

Ross Campbell's installation piece "Sites" is colorful and fun. Campbell is an interdisciplinary artist and curator who spent much of his early life "playing" in the mountains of British Columbia. Per his biography, Campbell brings this physical sense of play to his visual art practice. He now lives in San Francisco.

Comment by AB: The prefatory poses the interrogatory, "What happens when we take an object out of its context and examine it on its own?" I suppose you'll find out here.

Art by Dion Campbell.

Art by Lee Harvey Roswell.

Lee Harvey Roswell & his art (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Lee Harvey Roswell art closer (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Lee Harvey Roswell art closer (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Fun road cone installation art.

Embroidery art by Marin Camille Hood.

Marin Camille Hood embroidery detail of "Hummingbird" (image c/o Geoff Smith).

Art.

Panorama.

***

Uh oh... you taking me for granted again? Take a walk on the flip side here? Who loves ya baby?

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First Thursday - January 7, 2009

First Thursday - December 3, 2009

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