Lisa Derrick Fine Arts will host “Acts of Worship: Symbol, Meaning, and Ritual,” a group exhibition curated by Larry Stone and featuring six artists: Vincent Bernardy, Bill Bruce, Vicky Hoffman, Colleen Marlow, Michael McKee, and Larry Stone. Exhibition will run from January 30 through February 2, 2020. Artists’ reception will be held at the gallery on February 1 from 6-9PM.
The theme of the exhibition, “Acts of Worship,” references the author Yukio Mishima’s short story anthology of the same name. As is the case with each of the stories in Mishima’s anthology, each of the artists in this exhibition create art as individual “acts” of art making within a collection of “acts.” These works are an explication of the art-making process; as such, each work serves as an artist’s narrative and as an embodiment of a ritual: meditation, sequencing of action, application of action, and reflection. These works should be viewed both as individual expressions of meaning and as a collective elaboration on artistic intent, much in the same way as one would view an anthology of stories or poetry. Listed below are statements from the artists in this exhibition that further inform ones understanding of their work:
Vincent Bernardy-I humbly attempt to connect with the divine muses in my works in hopes that they will notice and influence me in my way of speaking through my art. My hope is to move others in an unexpected way.
Bill Bruce-as long as I can remember (and that is a bit of a challenge considering I was born in 1932) I was always drawing and coloring pictures as a young boy. The love of art continued into childhood and through determination, self study, and association with other other artists, I became a painter. No formal education, just enthusiasm.
Vicky Hoffman-Wonder. Definition as noun: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. As I sketch, draw and paint without a charted place to go, I wander and wonder. My observations of nature appear to have a psychological hold on me and end up informing my work with an interpretation that is both visual and minimal. The intended outcome is mysterious and provocative. I wonder how the core of the earth might look and feel. My recent work is a reflection of this drift of wonderment. I continue to be intrigued by this majestic planet-from the air and beneath the surface. My aim is to offer an environment that provides a different perspective on life. Is it possible to invent a new world?
Colleen Marlow-My pieces are visual explorations based on the idea that much of the self and subsequently of humanity is a mass of emotions and perceptions formed by one’s own direct experience and the collective experience of one’s family, society, and genealogy. My work is highly reconstructive and reflective and tells the present day story of humanity.
Michael McKee-Although my work has been linked to distinct 20th and 21st century art practices including Abstraction, Minimalism, Realism, Pop and Conceptual art, it defies easy classification. Throughout my career, I have executed paintings, objects, sculptures and works on paper that addressed the contextual and semantic issues at stake in the construction, exhibition and reception of works of art. My handling of form and color comprise a complex and experimental investigation of aesthetic concepts and the semiotic possibilities of visual language.
Larry Stone-If artistic expression can be seen as a form of an alphabet, then the artist is an “author” and the marks made by the artist become a language. By applying marks to a surface, the artist layers meaning within an art work, in a sense “writing” or recording his or her ideas. As directed by the artist, these marks may form random or recognizable patterns and symbols. This evidence of expression operates as individual narratives and also as a collection of narratives. Each mark contributes its own exposition toward formulating the overall meaning of the work. Ultimately, the audience provides the final layer of meaning with his or her interpretation and judgment of the art.
