Each of the works in this 20 piece show explores the soul and what it looks like, and began with artist Peter London asking the question “Is that all there is?” In this ongoing series, Joining Heaven and Earth, London explores how the forces of nature throughout the cosmos, animate our planet.
London explains the title of this show in his artist statement:
“By heaven I mean hope, wonder, spirit, the endless mystery of the wild universe and whatever makes the whole thing tick. By earth, I mean me, and collectively, all humans. Thus, the grand project of art is to work at the joining, the rejoining, of them with us; creating an ecology, a pattern that connects humans (me) with the rest of the universe.”
This series of paintings and drawings explore the idea that the qualities that make things ‘art-full’ are the same things that make things ‘soul-full’. All of the works in this exhibition are on 100% cotton, acid free printmaking paper, with the artist using oil pastel, colored pencils, ink, and graphite sticks.
London is Emeritus Professor, at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and holds MFA and doctorate degrees from Columbia University. His art work is in numerous international, private and public collections. London is the author of several books including No More Secondhand Art, and Drawing Closer to Nature. He lives in Davis.
The opening reception will feature the opportunity to meet the artist and engage in a presentation by London about his creative process. The creative process will be additionally explored with musicians Phyllis Isaacson on piano and Jane Thompson on bass who will play a medley of improvisations based on London’s artwork in the exhibition. The creative process from a musician’s point of view will be explored, and the musicians will compare a work of art which is visual, with a piece of music which is aural – examples of creative expressions appealing differently to people.
Joining Heaven and Earth runs through May 2 at Gallery 625. The artist reception 5:30-8 p.m. Friday April 7 will be hosted by YoloArts board member Chris Dreith, and sponsored by Matchbook Winery. The artist talk and music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Gallery 625 is a public art gallery curated by YoloArts located in Yolo County’s Erwin Meier Administration Building 625 Court Street in Woodland. Regular gallery viewing hours are 8 a.m.-5p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information about the exhibition call YoloArts 530-309-6464 or email ya@yoloarts.org.