Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Shadow Visits the Gallery at 210 1/2 Clara Street

The Shadow received an invitation recently to attend the opening reception of a new group show at the Gallery at 210 1/2 Clara Street.  The participating artists were:
  • Jen Hein DeMause
  • Michiko Thompson
  • Lani Rovzar
 
Artists Jen Hein DeMause (top), Michiko Thompson (center), Lani Rovzar (bottom)

These three ladies come with their own medium and style which was very pleasant to see.

Some of the works on display at the exhibit

This gallery, unfortunately, escapes The Shadow's radar quite a bit (in fact, we found out about this show while attending another art reception).  It was a great place to hang out, meet the artists, and listen to good music from a couple of talented DJs.

Top:  DJs spinning the music at the reception
Bottom:  Art patrons enjoying themselves

Unfortunately this show has now ended and the gallery is preparing for Open Studios in October.  The Shadow will visit here again to bring you more great art from this gallery.

More pictures from the reception are available here.

The Shadow Views The Work of Knox & Koh

Recently, The Shadow made a visit to Varnish Fine Art Gallery to view a new exhibit featuring the work of artists Michelle Knox and Eunkang Koh.

 
  
Top:  Sign introducing the artists at Varinish
Center:  Artist Michelle Knox at the reception
Bottom:  Artist Eunkang Koh at the reception

Both women bring a unique perspective to art and The Shadow enjoyed meeting both artists and discussing their work.

Michelle Knox uses glass sculptures to demonstrate who she is.  "My work and my working process attempts to find tranquility.  To reconnect myself with myself and to others."  Her work is stunning.

 
  
  
Works by Michelle Knox at Varnish

Michelle continues:  "I want to give an introspective moment to the viewer and create those moments for myself.  I want to participate in the way my world looks and how people react to objects and to each other."

Eunkang Koh work is very colorful and detailed.  Using specialized inks in her work Eunkang creates another world that she states "is not real but is an illusion that we perceive."

 
  
  
Works of Eunkang Koh at the reception

Koh continues:  "We believe that humans are the top of the hierarchy in our econological system.  We are trained to behave and pretend in a specific way to fit into mainstream society.  What many of us do not realize is that humans are just a kind of animal, have animal instincts.  We want to eat, excrete, protect ourselves, and at the same time attack others."

Both artists are very welcome additions to the Bay Area art scene.  And, as can be seen below, many patrons at Varnish were enjoying their work.

 
  
  
Scenes from the reception

The exhibit will be shown through August 9, 2008 at Varnish Fine Art Gallery, 77 Natoma Street (between 1st and 2nd Streets) in the SOMA area of San Francisco.  The Shadow should note here that since Varnish has a permanent beer/wine bar on the premises, no one under 21 will be allowed in the gallery at any time.


The Shadow with Varnish co-directors Kerri Stephens (left) and Jennifer Rogers at the reception

More pictures from the reception are available here.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

New Exhibit at Varnish Fine Arts Gallery

The Shadow has recently been informed by Jennifer Rogers and Kerri Stephens of Varnish Fine Art Gallery of their new exhibit.

The exhibit will feature the art of Eunkang Koh and Michelle Knox.


  
Works by Eunkang Koh (top) and Michelle Knox (bottom)

Varnish will host an Artist Reception for the two artists this Thursday, July 10, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  The reception is free and open to the public, however The Shadow must stress that, because Varnish has a permanent beer/wine bar on the premises, no one under 21 will be admitted to the reception.

Varnish is located at 77 Natoma Street, between 1st and 2nd Streets in the SOMA area of San Francisco.

If you cannot make the reception, this exhibit is scheduled to be shown through August 9, 2008.

The Shadow hopes to see all of you there!

Get Ready for San Francisco 2008 Open Studios!

It is still early but planning for San Francisco's Open Studios is going on in earnest.  Open Studios will take place the first weekend of October and go through the first weekend of November 2008.

ArtsSpan has sent two announcements to The Shadow in the previous days that we would like to share with you.

The Exhibition Opening Reception has been scheduled for October 5, 2008 at the SomArts Gallery.  We will have more information on this reception as we get closer to the date.

Second, and more important for those of you who will be coming to San Francisco from out of town or out of state, ArtSpan has informed The Shadow that Hotel Rex in the Union Square area of San Francisco will offer a 15% discount on hotel stays for Open Studios attendees.  The Shadow has seen the hotel and thinks it is well worth it -- from the hotel's location after the studios close, you will be in the heart of the Theatre District and fine shopping.  The hotel also has a great lobby bar and restaurant for fine dining.

You can make your reservations now by clicking here.  In the Promo Code field, enter ARTSPAN for your discount.

For more information on the 2008 Open Studios events and artist registration (deadline is August 22, 2008, 5:00 p.m.), click here.

We hope to see you there.