THE ARTS
Art in the Mid-Valley
“There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.” – Helen Frankenthaler
Julie Green, The Last Supper: Final Plates "Canticle" - Tim Timmerman
"The Conversation" - Tatyana Ostapenko
By Brian Egan SPRING FLOWERS, WITH THEIR BURSTS OF COLOR ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY ARTISTS. Blossoms simply open up, turn towards the light and bask in the sun. The artist grabs paints and easel, runs out to a field between rain showers and attempts to capture the luscious landscape on canvas. This dance between subject and painter has gone on for thousands of years and is a part of human nature as we strive to bring natural beauty into our homes for year-round enjoyment. The Howland Community Open continues at The Arts Center until March 31. This annual event is a showcase of local talent, featuring professional and amateur artists of all ages. The work of over 150 artists is displayed on the Main Gallery walls for the enjoyment of all visitors. Many of the pieces are for sale so please visit the show and support your favorite local artist. The Benton County Historical Society opens 2 shows at different locations in March. The first exhibition is the Philomath Museum’s longest running tradition and is a “must see” for family and friends of the young artists. The show titled Art: the 4th “R” opens on March 11th and ends on April 9th in the Moreland Auditorium. This year marks the 40th Anniversary exhibit of this K-12 Philomath student art tradition. Julie Green, The Last Supper: Final Plates runs from now until July 3 at the Corvallis Museum. Nationally renowned artist and OSU art professor Julie Green began this series of paintings in the 1990s after reading about the final meals of
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Willamette Living Magazine | March / April 2022
those on death row in Oklahoma. This is the first exhibition of the final 200 pieces in this series. In a 2020 artist statement Green wrote “For me, a final meal request humanizes death row.” Julie originally intended to continue this body of work until capital punishment is abolished, but announced that it would end at 1,000 plates after a cancer diagnosis. Green passed away in October 2021. An earlier version of this series was exhibited at The Arts Center in 2013 and was memorable for its profound effect on visitors. April brings an exciting new show to The Arts Center: LOOKING AT YOU, featuring artists Tim Timmerman and Tatyana Ostapenko. Observing people in their actions, movements and intentions is not new to artists. Humanity is so diverse that such examinations give endless possibilities and will naturally have very different outcomes. We found Tim Timmerman (Newberg) and Tatyana Ostapenko (Portland) both focusing on people from their backgrounds. Timmerman comes from a traditional Christian background in Kansas. Christianity has a strong tradition in symbolism and Timmerman’s work is full of that. He creates paintings and assemblages. In his own words: The power of friendship, brotherhood, and what it is to be a man in the 21st century are vital parts of my life and work. Art for me is an integral part of the human experience and continues to be a place to be authentic and share hope, and the irony and blessings of life in all its beauty and mess. Tatyana Ostapenko spent her formative years in post-Soviet Ukraine. Her choice of
subject matter (babushkas), their placement and movement in the field of the picture, her sense of composition certainly has roots in Soviet hyperrealism. But that is where it stops. Ostapenko extended her subject matter to the iconic doll, so part of western culture: Barbie. Her style is also very far removed from the Soviet art. Instead of hyperrealism Ostapenko works in fast bold brushstrokes, abstracts the figures and surroundings and quite often leaves the faces without any detail. “My paintings are in equal measure a wistful childhood memory and critical inquiry into the recent history of former Soviet Union and the daily lives of people who will never make it to the official historical records.” This show starts on April 4 and ends on May 14, with a reception on Thursday, April 7, 5:30- 7:30 pm and an Art for Lunch (artist talk) April 14, 12 - 1 pm. The Corvallis Art Walk (CAW) takes place on March 17th and April 21st. A list of artists and venues can be found at www.corvallisartswalk.com
CORVALLIS ARTS CENTER HOURS Noon to 5:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday (check website for updates) Phone 541-754-1551 www.theartscenter.net
