“States of Being” currently on view at Torrance Art Museum examines the nature of existence not so much as a physical inevitability, but more as a phase or process by which each of the artists included, expose themselves through their work at pivotal moments of existence. Artists like David McDonald create sculptural cornerstones at each end of the gallery by which the entire viewing experience is “grounded,” while Rebecca Campbell’s lushly enigmatic paintings of flora and fauna are dense, encapsulating a feeling of foreboding and mystery despite their seductiveness. Julia Schwartz’ small painting Untitled (head) (2015) is unnervingly raw, yet so real—the skewed face in the image a strangely moving talisman for both grief and rebirth.

TAM 
3320 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503
Show runs through Oct. 31, 2015