Exhibition: Sept. 3- Oct. 10
Opening Reception: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The reception does not require an RSVP. During normal gallery hours, we ask that you make a reservation in advance by clicking here. Visitors must check in with security.
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (Sept. 1, 2024) – Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences is excited to announce the first exhibition of the 2024-25 school year showcasing the diverse and innovative work of members of the School’s K-12 Visual Art Department. This exhibition offers an insightful glimpse into the creative processes and thematic explorations which define each artist’s practice. Additionally, these teaching artists bring their extensive knowledge, experience and passion for their practice into the classroom. This exhibition features artwork by the following Crossroads teaching artists:
Susan Arena, Melissa Bouwman, Brandy Friedlander, Janice Gomez, Anne Kessler, Akemi Maruki, Antonio Okun, Vincent Ramos, Jesse Robinson, Carly Steward, Solomon Turner
Susan Arena’s work in drawing, painting and ceramic sculpture investigates the complex experience of womanhood through historical and cultural references. Her art celebrates the contradictions of female identity and invites viewers to explore the beautiful messiness of being female and the human condition through the tactile and expressive nature of her art.
Melissa Bouwman’s work, uterusSpaceship.com, is an evolving website dedicated to exploring and celebrating the uterus through personal stories, artistic expressions and information, featuring sections for viewers to contribute art and content.
Brandy Friedlander shares her passion for photography, which began unexpectedly in high school and has become a central aspect of her life. Her large- and small-scale photographs reveal the dramatic contrasts and glowing effects of infrared film, highlighting her dedication to the medium.
Janice Gomez explores the concept of artmaking as a means of engagement with both physical and mental spaces, using recycled imagery and personal recordings. Her work examines how the transformation of everyday forgotten images and experiences can alter our perceptions and connections with the world.
Anne Kessler's collage work, created from recycled magazines, reimagines everyday materials to challenge conventional perceptions and offers a unique, optimistic perspective influenced by female viewpoints and the modernist approach of Georgia O’Keeffe.
Akemi Maruki’s sculptures navigate the tension of balancing multiple identities and roles, reflecting on the fragility of connections and the challenge of nurturing oneself amidst diverse demands. Her work creates a contemplative space that examines how these roles interplay and impact our sense of self.
Antonio Okun delves into his personal childhood experiences and emotions through sculptural forms, aiming to convey a sense of longing and the intricate interplay of fear and joy. His work invites viewers to connect with these emotions and explore the invisible threads that link them to the artist’s personal narrative.
Vincent Ramos revisits a drawing of Eddie Munster from "The Munsters" to reflect on how the character and show mirrored the anxieties of 1960s America. Through this nostalgic lens, Ramos draws parallels to today's political climate.
Jesse Robinson presents drawings created during the COVID lockdown, capturing the delicate and dynamic interplay of ropes in still-life constructions. His work reflects a process of deep observation and engagement with the physical world, portraying the abstract forms and anthropomorphic qualities of these ephemeral constructions.
Carly Steward will present her project "Pages," a photographic journey into the often-overlooked beauty of paper. Her work celebrates paper’s transformation from a simple substrate to a profound storyteller, revealing its fragility and capacity for sculptural forms. In "Page 824," Steward merges paper sculpture with photographic landscapes to explore themes of impermanence and transformation, creating a dialogue between sculptural paper forms and their photographic representations.
Solomon Turner explores themes of family history, identity and the intersection of technology and architecture through his filmmaking. His structuralist approach and iterative design process offer fresh perspectives on human life, personal heritage and self-understanding.
This exhibition is a rich and engaging exploration of contemporary themes and artistic practices, reflecting the diverse voices and creative approaches of Crossroads’ visual arts faculty. Join us in celebrating their work and the vibrant dialogue it inspires at the start of the new school year.
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