Shinichi Maruyama: Gardens

This series of paintings by Shinichi Maruyana is an impressive display representational of Zen gardens. "The Zen garden is the expression of boundless cosmic beauty in a physical environment, created through intense human concentration, labor and repeated action". These paintings express just that: capturing the essence of liquid, frozen in mid-air.

Maruyama repeatedly throws tempera paint into the air and photographs the results, then arranges the frozen actions in compositions that defy logical physics.



In doing a bit of research on this artist I came upon an earlier project, Kusho, in which Maruyama photographs sumi ink and water.

David Altmejd

Entering Andrea Rosen Gallery last weekend I was instantly drawn into the large installations by David Altmejd. These large plexi cases were filled with plaster hands, heads, threads, insects, and precious gems... a strange, interesting and scientific mix of objects which ultimately formed a painfully detailed diarama of decay.

The subjects are less about death than the transition into something else, a transformation that seems to mimic a change from man to animal in a series of tunnels and almost vein like structures. These tunnels morph into one another and suggest a biological transfer of energy from human parts into nature; crystalized formations, insects, and infinite webs.

José Parlá: Walls, Diaries and Paintings

Last weekend I visited Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery in Chelsea and was blown away by the work of José Parlá. His work is an exciting blend of textures, colors, memories and experiences of urban landscapes. Inspiration comes from Istanbul, Havana, Tokyo and New York, to name a few - documenting accumulated memories and experiences of these places he's been.




The layers which each piece are composed of reveal newsprint, street art & posters, thick paint and graffiti. Each reminded me of an urban setting that I may have seen at one time or another, the many beautiful cities, walls and alley's I've stumbled upon. To simulate the experience even further, he even painted an installation in the hall of the gallery, as if you are traveling through an urban alleyway.



I suppose it makes sense that I am drawn to his work, as his paintings are certainly reminiscent of some of my favorite artists: Anselm Kiefer and Jackson Pollock.

Metamorphosis

This weekend I completed a new piece, "Metamorphosis", for the ArtSpan Benefit Art Auction to be held on March 26th. This is my absolute favorite art fundraising event of the year - it's always a packed house, lots of original affordable amazing art, with both live and silent auctions. I personally love the buzz of the live auction - so much fun to see the art enthusiasts get all get all fired up for the chance to own their favorite pieces.

ArtSpan Benefit Auction

Saturday, March 26th 2011

VIP: 6-9:30pm

Regular Admission: 6:45-9:30pm

SOMArts Bay Gallery

934 Brannan Street

San Francisco, CA

more info:

http://www.artspan.org/sf-open-studios-benefit-art-show-auction