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