Claudia Berenice Garza at STC

The image on the invitation drew me to the exhibition, and once there it met my expectations.  In this image, two monolithic stone cliffs stand alone in the sea. It is a surreal scene because the stone, that has split in half,  is laced together with rope.   This clearly communicates a reference to the body (the lacing is similar to a corset’s lacing), isolation (standing alone), and vulnerability (even something as hard as stone can be fractured).  The lacing is not securely fastened and the bottom end floats in the water where it will quickly unravel. The high contrast of light and dark values in the unnatural color scheme create a mood that suggests that this is a mental landscape.   There is an overall harmony to the work created by the predominantly analogous color palette and the repetition of visual elements.  

Garza states that her new body of work is defined by an expressionistic style and a focus on personal feelings. Unfortunately, the other artworks in this exhibition do not clearly or effectively communicate the artist’s stated intention.  The works lack cohesion stylistically, conceptually, and aesthetically. Garza knows what she wants to do, and she might reach her goal by giving some time to organizing a visual language that is cohesive and developing a technical and aesthetic style that is consistent.   

This exhibition can be seen until December 10, 2010 at STC's Technology Campus Library Art Gallery located at 3700 W. Military Highway at Ware Rd. in Mission.  872-6100

Veronica Jaeger at STC-Weslaco

Three grimacing faces with tongues thrust outward greet visitors to the STC Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery.   It is not an image of women that we are accustomed to seeing. It is unsettling and unique, and that is what intrigues and excites me about Jaeger’s artwork.  Mythology is replete with examples of female threesomes.  Medusa was one of three sisters known as The Gorgons.  They had three more sisters (The Graeae) who guarded their home. They were fearsome and powerful women.  In Jaegers’ powerful image, one woman becomes three, and by extension, every woman.  

Jaeger juxtaposes realistic images with abstract linear elements.  A line drawing of a house floats above the heads of the women.  The drawings seem like an anomaly in the composition, but it is an intentional device calculated to disrupt the viewer’s expectations.  The houses are “bound” with yellow lines.  The concept of being bound informs all of the artwork in this exhibition.  It relates metaphorically to the microcosm of intellectual, cultural, and social ideas that we are all bound by.  

Both drawings and paintings are included in this exhibition.  There is a qualitative difference between the two techniques aesthetically and conceptually.   In the paintings, there is more of a disconnect between the realistic and abstract elements due to the hard edges and unmodulated color in the linear elements.   In the drawing (below),  the woman is nonconfrontational.  She has hidden her own face, but she still sees through her fingers.  Her bindings seem to be a more integral and cohesive element in the picture.  Each artwork is a different aspect of the story that Jaeger is telling.  

Do yourself a favor and go see this show.  It is open through December 10.  You’ll also get the added bonus of seeing Steven C. Ortiz’s artwork.  

Steven C. Ortiz at STC Library in Weslaco

I received a pleasant bonus on my recent trip to STC Library Art Gallery in Weslaco. I discovered five "books" displayed on pedestals by the information desk.  The opened pages of the books reveal handwritten notes, photos and drawings that detail the saga of Robert Scott's attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole.  The story is an unfortunate one, because Scott was beaten to the Pole by 35 days by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.  Their return trip became a nightmare and they died horrible deaths.  They left behind their diaries and journals.   

In Ortiz's pieces, it is as if fragments of the story have been frozen in time like the unfortunate adventurers.  The books have a wonderful rusted patina, but instead of the patina being dull it has a somewhat shiny and translucent quality.  I am reminded of an insect preserved and encapsulated for eternity in amber.  These books however, appear to still be somewhat in the process of disintegration, but they are also hardened and impenetrable.   

STC Library Art Gallery, 400 N. Border, Weslaco, 956-447-6663

The Big Pour at the UTPA Foundry

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this process and hanging out at the foundry.
There is going to be another one on December 4 at 9 a.m. so stop by and enjoy a unique experience.

Angel Berrios-MFA Exhibition At UTPA

I detect discord in Angel Berrios’ artwork.  MFA students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones so that they can expand their artwork conceptually, technically and aesthetically.   I believe the story begins with the single anachronistic realistic painting of a landscape (Machu Picchu in Peru).   It is an ode to the past and a pointed reference to a previously developed technical skill.  The new works that line the walls are his attempt to transform that past.  The realism of his previous work is buried beneath a veil of abstraction and an unnatural color palette.   Daubs of highly saturated color blot out the details of his figures.  Nostalgic sentiment for the past is evidenced by the narrative scenes, but it is as if they are a lost memory rather than a present experience.   He states in his online artist’s statement that he plans to move more toward abstraction in the future.  Once Berrios works this out intellectually and conceptually, he may make the next critical step in the evolution of his work.  

Finally, I would advise any graduate student to carefully edit their exhibitions.  His sculptures, while they may have some commercial appeal, have not been developed sufficiently to be included in an MFA exhibition.  

The exhibit is open until November 14th at UTPA's Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery.  

UTPA Art Department Faculty Exhibit at Edinburg City Hall