“Water Works II” opens at the Porch Gallery Ojai on Saturday,
May 9th. "Water
Works II" is co-presented by VICA (Venice Institute of Contemporary Art) and will further spotlight the issues of water - from its beauty, to its scarcity, to its
importance to human life, the politics of water, to environmental issues and beyond.
“Water Works II” was jured by Juri Koll (VICA – Venice Institute
of Art), Peter Frank (Huffington Post/Fabrik Magazine) as well as co-directors
of Porch Gallery Ojai, Heather Stobo and Lisa Casoni.
Co-directors Stobo and Casoni worked with Koll on his first
Water Works I exhibition. “It was great, said Stobo. “That’s why we decided to
work with him again for Water Works II.” Stobo explained that although their
curating styles had similarities, they also work differently. “Without speaking
for Juri, it seems that his style is to curate the show without a specific
space in mind. Where I like to gather the work and then do a final edit
as I’m installing the show based on how the pieces look and fit in our
gallery. For me, moving the work outside of the artists’ studio, and away
from other bodies of work not included in the show, sometimes changes the
viewing experience and I like to adapt to that as I’m installing.”
When asked about working with Stobo and Casoni,
Koll replied, “They are the best in the business.”
The
group show will feature an eclectic mix of artists including established Los
Angeles artist J.J. L’Heureux.
L’Heureux’s work has been exhibited all over the world. She said she was proud to be a part of the important group show entitled “Water
Works II.” The concept of
the first “Waterworks'” artist’s incorporating water-based medium in their
work, to “Waterworks II” feels like a logical progression, explained L’Heureux.
“Water is a current topic of conversation and addressing all sides of water
with the public I feel is positive.”
Known best for her photography, the accomplished artist has taken
over thirteen trips to Antarctica. L’Heureux is an exquisite and
talented painter in her own right. Pretty soon after her very first trip to the
Southern Sea, the artist was inspired to create her Bergy Bit series. L’Heureux explains, “By definition ‘Bergy Bits’
are large chunks of glacier ice or a very small iceberg floating in the
sea. They are generally spawned from disintegrating icebergs and
glaciers.”
In addition to her photography and her paintings, the artist also works in collage/mixed media. To find out more about J.J. L’Heureux and her many mediums of art, visit both her websites at http://www.jjlheureux.com/ http://www.penguinspirit.com
Another artist to be featured is MB Boissonnault. “I did their first official show ("Future
Perfect" - solo exhibition) when Heather & Lisa opened,”
explained Boissonnault. "I love them and whole vibe up there--my heart
truly beats a little faster for Ojai. It's like Vermont (where I grew up) meets
California with a dash of Sedona. It's hard to leave sometimes.”
MB Boissonnault BOMBIGENESIS 60" x
36" oil on synthetic canvasWhen asked what inspired her to to create, she replied…”That's a question I never know how to answer. I am not inspired to create--it is as normal to me as breathing or walking. There is no other way of life.” http://www.mbboissonnault.com/
The
jurors have selected several sculptural pieces (indoor and outdoor), 2D pieces and
video. At 4pm, prior to the opening reception, (next door to the gallery),
there will be an art panel moderated by Koll. A local student from the Thacher
School will read a poem that he wrote about water.
Artists to be featured: Richard Amend, Susan Amorde, Nurit Avesar, Vince Baworouski, Bobbi Bennett, MB Boissonnault, Bill Leigh Brewer, Gary Brewer, Patricia Chidlaw, Diane Cockerill, Duane Dammeyer, Bibi Davidson, Lynne Deutch, Bill Dewey, L. Aviva Diamond, Elizabeth Garat, Jack Halbert, Sharon Hardy, Mark Indig, Cynthia James, Amy Kaczur, Colleen M Kelly, J. J. L’heureux, Terri Laine, Campbell Laird, Feng Ling, Daniel Leighton, Daniel Lyons, Aline Mare, Bruce Mcallister, Jim Mcaninch, Mary Mcgill, Wendy Osher, Ann Phong, Osceola Refetoff, Kate Register, Gay Summer Rick, Shawn K. Riley, Lisa Rosel, Karrie Ross, Catherine Ruane, Seda Saar, Jill Shanbrom, Yin Sheng, Joan Scheibel, Wendy Smith, Shyun Song, Caryl St. Ama, Jill Sykes, Mark Tovar, Katie Van Horne, Christine Weir, Tracey Weiss, Gina Yu.
Be sure to pop by the
Porch Gallery Ojai on May 9th for the art panel at 4pm and the opening
reception from 5-7pm. The exhibition runs May 9 through June 8, 2015. Porch Gallery Ojai is located at 310 E. Matilija Avenue, Ojai, CA. For more information please go to http://www.porchgalleryojai.com or call 805.620.7589.
