A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.
Sivananda

The exhibition “Detailed Information” showcases a group of artists whose work is minutely crafted to exacting detail, rich with narrative content. The works in this show invite multiple viewings in order to capture important visual components that serve to decode the artist’s perspective. Implicit to this group of artist is their mastery of techniques-whether it is old master, or the application of new technologies. Each artist uses their significant knowledge to impart a comprehensive visual story.

Mark Burckhardt, a painter trained in old master techniques to achieve texture and luminosity defines his work in these terms: “I come from a storytelling as well as figurative tradition that is steeped in the visual language of Western art’s historical symbolism. I attempt to take the framework of this mutually shared iconography, and the cultural baggage we bring to it, and “tilt” the content to provide contemporary insights and commentary. Much of my work references what I call “possession-oriented” genres that include portraiture and sporting painting; by altering these forms, I hope to provoke the viewer to question their intuitive cultural assumptions as well as explore the narrative potential of my imagery.” A sense of familiarity inhabits the work-yet the viewer is struck by a psychological disconnect between the real and imagined.

Another artist that utilizes elements of the familiar in a deconstructed sculptural milieu is John Byrd. Byrd’s highly articulated porcelain forms combine elements of recognizable animal body parts punctuated by incongruent mammalian elements. A taxidermy rabbit head sits like a specter a top of a neck that seems more appropriate for a horse head. Internal organs and muscles peek out from layers of peeled flesh painstakingly carved and burnished to an ivory like finish. Artist Kate MacDowell also painstakingly carves porcelain to reveal elements that are metaphorical in nature.

MacDowell states: I hand sculpt each piece out of porcelain, often building a solid form and then hollowing it out. Smaller forms are built petal by petal, branch by branch and allow me the chance to get immersed in close study of the structure of a blossom or a bee. I chose porcelain for its luminous and ghostly qualities as well as its strength and ability to show fine texture. It highlights both the impermanence and fragility of natural forms in a dying ecosystem, while paradoxically, being a material that can last for thousands of years and is historically associated with high status and value. I see each piece as a captured and preserved specimen, a painstaking record of endangered natural forms and a commentary on our own culpability.” Each piece is a microscopic examination of the implications of our behavior on the natural world.

Artist Christopher Torrez is also highly engaged in the minutia of the natural world. Torrez writes: “I am drawn to issues of change, primarily in the natural world and the sciences. The use of a miniature in scale reflects the small, yet complex and often overlooked details of the natural world. My forms, although inspired by nature, are not intended to replicate any know species or place. The fragility and the preciousness of these small worlds mimic the similar qualities of a delicate and complex ecosystem, once gone, irreparable. The predominantly white unglazed porcelain creates a quiet, somber quality. It reflects a palette to be filled, a life force not yet present or that has been drained away. The discussion of the human impact on the environment becomes evident in these miniature worlds.” The inclusion of mirrors and lights create a visual illusion of multiple images without limits.

Artist Carrie Anne Baade paints extremely embellished detailed works that are part mythological story and new age science fiction. Baade states: “As an artist and subject in my work, I serve as the steward and the ax man to art’s legacy. Studying with art conservators and looking at the old masters has informed my choice to revitalize the archaic traditions of both traditional oil painting and egg tempera. My subjects are adopted from religion and mythology; these are often cautionary tales that mirror my personal experience. In desiring to speak to the complexity of the human condition, I use this language of allegory and narrative to relate my own story, which is at once an age old.” Baade’s use of hundreds of separate clippings to form a new whole provides the viewer with an arresting array of pictorial references.

Fresh perspective and pristine detail are the hall marks of Wook Jae Maeng’s animal heads. Maeng’s porcelain animal heads and other combined cast forms convey a sense of preciousness and fragility. The stark white porcelain against the bright gold eyes of a big horned sheep, or the perforated black porcelain head of a rhino mounted on a wooden board reminiscent of a trophy room in a hunting lodge, remind the viewer of objects known but altered. The deceptively small animal heads are a ghostly reminder of deeds past and actions gone unnoticed by an irresponsible world. Maeng’s work provides the most information with the least amount of detailed information.

Each of the artists exhibiting in “Detailed Information” are masters of their deeply personal narratives—featuring an eye for finite detail while uncovering unique perspectives.

UNF Gallery at MOCA – Curated by Debra Murphy, Ph.D.

April 12 — May 27, 2012

www.mo c a j a c k s o n v i l l e . o r g
This survey represents the highlights of the past three years
of autobiographical paintings that are rich with allegorical meta-narratives inspired by literature and art history.

PREVIEW & LECTURE: April 5th, 7pm
“Solar Midnight is the instant when the sun is at the nadir,
equidistant from dusk and dawn. Even in darkest night
is the seed of full light. Amidst the darkest imagery shows
through a suggestion of redemption and hope.”
- C. A. Baade

Billy Shire has masterminded and organized a monumental group show featuring 200+ artists, each of whom have contributed one new piece and a written anecdote about their experience with the gallery. In 25 years of groundbreaking exhibitions, this is La Luz de Jesus Gallery’s first survey, featuring three generations of the most important artists working today. The book, a companion to the show, chronicles the rich legacy of La Luz de Jesus and the thriving art movements it helped launch.

Opening events for the two-part group show titled
“La Luz de Jesus 25”
will occur during the weekends of October 7 and November 4, 2011.

Involved in the La Luz de Jesus 25th Anniversary project is a who’s-who of art, including Robert Williams, Joe Coleman, Mark Ryden, Carrie Ann Baade, Sam Doyle, Glenn Barr, Elizabeth McGrath, Gary Panter, Mark Mothersbaugh, Lou Beach, Hudson Marquez, Marion Peck, Aaron Smith, Owen Smith, Frank Kozik, Manuel Ocampo, Gail Potocki, Don Ed Hardy, Dave Cooper, Daniel Martin Diaz, Laurie Lipton, Shag, Scott Musgrove, Bari Kumar, Tim Biskup, Judith Schaecter, Joe Sorren, Chris Mars, Eric White, The Pizz, Jessica Joslin, Gary Baseman, Bob Dob, Spain Rodriguez, Clayton Brothers and literallyhundreds more. The companion book, La Luz de Jesus 25 (La Luz de Jesus Press / Last Gasp) features images of the complete show, along with a written anecdote by each artist. This is the single most important book ever published on this art genre from one of the most important galleries to emerge in the past two and a half decades.
Book pre-orders are being accepted now – contact Soap Plant to reserve yours!

Click here to view online press release and an artist roster by month