September 11, 2012 > Laying Down the Mark
Laying Down the Mark
Submitted By Diane Leys
Making a mark has been a popular means of public expression throughout human history. Prehistoric cave art in Europe, dating back approximately 40,000 years, illustrate the human desire to communicate visual ideas. What began as primitive cave paintings has morphed into an endless variety of ways to express oneself to other humans. For the exhibit "Laying Down the Mark," curator Sandra Hemsworth has selected eight Bay Area artists who think in different ways about the approach and technique of mark making in their work through different materials.
For the series "Sycamore Branches" artist Will Tait has combined his love of hiking in Sunol Regional Wilderness with his desire to communicate the three dimensional nature of the world in which we live through his pencil drawings. Tait's work is primarily in private commissions; however his public commissions include the mural in the Mt. Tamalpais visitor center. His work is also in the permanent collection of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, and UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
Working with acrylics Fremont artist Diego Marcial Rios uses complex imagery to convey social themes such as death, economic injustice, as well as birth and regeneration. Rios' fine art has been included in more than 400 exhibits from Japan to Bulgaria. His work is included in several Museum Collections including The Auchenbach Foundation Collection at the Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco, and Museo National De La Estampa in Mexico City. He has also illustrated a number of books and his work is part of a number of public collections.
Using pen and black ink Lafayette artist Dwight Yassany creates images as they appear in nature, soft, bold, and striking. Although without color, his goal is to achieve a natural look by creating a feeling of texture and light rather than the stark contrast of black and white. In his latest drawings he has incorporated biblical references which illustrate a theme.
San Francisco artist Claire Brees works with a variety of media and materials exploring to see where they will lead her. For the charcoal pieces in this show she wanted to work not only with the strength and power of charcoal, but also to explore its more fluid and delicate aspects. With a Master's of Fine Arts, Brees currently teaches art full-time at the City College of San Francisco.
Gary Comoglio's primary medium is Relief Printmaking, but he also works in etching and lithography. Comoglio, an Alameda artist, seeks in his work to expand on surrealism, cubism and modernist images. He works full time at the Academy of Art University. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the California Society of Printmakers.
In her Oakland studio Jennifer Jastrab works with graphite pencils, paper, pigment, and scouring pads to build images which capture a reverie of human experience. Jastrab who by the age of eight wanted to be an artist, holds a Master of Arts from John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley.
Additional artists included in this exhibit are Peter Baczek, and Lincoln Rogala. "Laying Down the Mark" opens at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery with a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 14 and runs through October 13.
Laying Down the Mark
September 14 - October 13
Thursday - Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
Friday, September 14
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Olive Hyde Art Gallery
123 Washington Blvd., Fremont