Barn Gallery hosts ‘Shapeshifters’ through Aug. 19

Enterprise staff

Perspectives in color, form, and visual language are explored by regional artists in “Shapeshifters,” a new Barn Gallery show that opened Thursday at YoloArts’ Barn Gallery in Woodland.

At the center of the group of artists is Mark Emerson, CSU Sacramento Fine Arts professor, who coordinated the exhibition. Joining him in this show are Caiti Chan, Laura Hohlwein, and Jeff Mayry. Together they bring a distinct experience and sense of shifting shapes and perspectives to the acrylic and oil paintings in this compelling exhibition.

Chan and Mayry are former students of Emerson, who calls them “up and coming artists to watch.” Hohlwein is a former colleague of Emerson’s who now teaches digital art at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento.

The style of painting in the show is known in the art world as “non-objective,” a description of art that does not imitate reality or use a visual language derived from reality. Another way to think about this art is that it does not represent or depict any identifiable person, place, or thing.

“This show presents a different approach to painting which I think visitors will find exciting and refreshing. There is a depth and sensitivity to the work and the artists skillfully share their passion for discovering and expressing their internal creative process,” said Janice Purnell, YoloArts creative director.

Emerson describes his work as enlisting “elements of audible rhythm” and says “I’ve always responded to American jazz for its improvisational nature. There are so many similarities between music and art.”

In her artist statement Hohlwein says, “In the paintings, the fragment is not separated from the whole, but is a constituent part, alive and changing. The field, which surrounds each distinct element, is also alive and changing, is also part of an even larger field. Painting is the perfect medium for me to meditate upon this idea of infinite inclusion and constant flux, of the visible and invisible, and to extend my own experience of the lived present moment.”

Mayry states that he begins each painting by sitting in a camp chair and staring at the blank canvas before him. “My paintings are a reconciliation between the inner life and the physical world. It is my hope that the viewer will find that looking into my paintings are like looking into a mirror and seeing their reflection; sometimes perfect, often flawed, always moving forward.”

Chan’s art practice is process driven, focusing on the paint’s materiality, and experimenting with other materials. In her artist statement she describes the use of abstraction as a conversation starter, to keep the viewer searching, and to discover communion with one another. She also shares, “My paintings are emerging into embracing healing, and looking forward to what is to come. The most current paintings reflect acceptance that they don’t need to be about pain anymore. They are a reflection of growth, finding love, and moving forward after years of heart ache and grief.”

The public is invited to meet the artists at the opening reception, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 22. Music will be performed by Mike Bender; light refreshments and Yolo County wine will be available.

The artwork can also be viewed (and purchased) online at yoloarts.org/onlinegalleries.

“Shapeshifters” continues at The Barn Gallery through Aug. 19.

Regular open hours of The Barn Gallery are Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:30-5 p.m, select Saturdays and by appointment.

The Barn Gallery and the Gibson House are at 512 Gibson Road in Woodland. For more information contact YoloArts at 530309-6464 or ya@yoloarts.org.