Posted 12:44 am Saturday, August 20, 2011
“Alternative Abstract/Surreal" On Display At Tyler's Gallery Main Street
By STEWART SMITH
Entertainment Editor
Works of surrealism and abstract art work are on display in downtown Tyler's Gallery Main Street. More than a dozen works, ranging from oils to watercolor to mixed media to sculptures, were submitted by local artists for the exhibit, aptly titled “Alternative Abstract/Surreal.”
These works include “Jack,” a piece by Sally Taylor depicting a jack rabbit, though wrapped in cloth as though mummified and bound with twine. Another is “Oral Tradition,” a watercolor/pen and ink piece by Athens resident Elizabeth “Lou” Taylor. Mrs. Taylor won “Best In Show” with her piece when the exhibit opened in late July.
Entertainment Editor
Works of surrealism and abstract art work are on display in downtown Tyler's Gallery Main Street. More than a dozen works, ranging from oils to watercolor to mixed media to sculptures, were submitted by local artists for the exhibit, aptly titled “Alternative Abstract/Surreal.”
These works include “Jack,” a piece by Sally Taylor depicting a jack rabbit, though wrapped in cloth as though mummified and bound with twine. Another is “Oral Tradition,” a watercolor/pen and ink piece by Athens resident Elizabeth “Lou” Taylor. Mrs. Taylor won “Best In Show” with her piece when the exhibit opened in late July.
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As a novice artist, Mrs. Taylor said she didn't specifically set out to create a surrealist piece of art, she simply wanted to tell a story inspired by Native American culture and to follow her inspiration as it flowed.
“It just evolved. I didn't do it specifically for this exhibit. I just sat down and did it, and I liked what I saw. I started with the spirit Indian on the left, and I started with my lines. I don't think about it, whatever comes out is what's there,” she said.
The piece depicts a Native American who guides the lives and spirits of generations on Earth (represented by the ceramic pot, off center).
“It just evolved. I didn't do it specifically for this exhibit. I just sat down and did it, and I liked what I saw. I started with the spirit Indian on the left, and I started with my lines. I don't think about it, whatever comes out is what's there,” she said.
The piece depicts a Native American who guides the lives and spirits of generations on Earth (represented by the ceramic pot, off center).
Mrs. Taylor said she has long had a fascination with Native American culture, artwork and spirituality.
“Have a great interest in the Anasazi culture and their expression of everyday life through their clay vessels, and the artwork that is so different, pueblo to pueblo,” she said. “I sort of connect to their idea of earth, wind and fire and the spirituality of people. Not all people are religious, but in all cultures you find spirituality and that's interesting to me, even though I'm rooted in a Presbyterian background.”
Despite the narrative elements of “Oral Tradition,” Mrs. Taylor said she never sets out to make specific statements. She simply looks to express herself in the most creative manner possible.
“Have a great interest in the Anasazi culture and their expression of everyday life through their clay vessels, and the artwork that is so different, pueblo to pueblo,” she said. “I sort of connect to their idea of earth, wind and fire and the spirituality of people. Not all people are religious, but in all cultures you find spirituality and that's interesting to me, even though I'm rooted in a Presbyterian background.”
Despite the narrative elements of “Oral Tradition,” Mrs. Taylor said she never sets out to make specific statements. She simply looks to express herself in the most creative manner possible.
“I don't paint anything that I don't have emotional investment in. I find my voice through art. My art is my idea about life. It's my statement,” she said. “I don't just sit down to do a piece of artwork and go, ‘Well, today I need to tell everybody about this.' If something is an inspiration to me, I enjoy just sitting down and doing it.”
Surrealism as a style finds its origins in the early 1920s, developing out of the Dadaist movement during World War I and was given. A surrealist manifesto was written by French writer and poet, Andre' Breton, a man widely considered to be the founder of the surrealist movement. Surrealism as an overall style often incorporates elements of surprise, as well as unexpected juxtapositions.
Surrealism as a style finds its origins in the early 1920s, developing out of the Dadaist movement during World War I and was given. A surrealist manifesto was written by French writer and poet, Andre' Breton, a man widely considered to be the founder of the surrealist movement. Surrealism as an overall style often incorporates elements of surprise, as well as unexpected juxtapositions.
Abstract art's origins are in the 19th century, as artists began to break away from the rules and logic of perspective firmly established during the Renaissance period. Notable abstract artists include Henri Matisse, James McNeill Whistler and Wassily Kandinsky.
“Alternative Abstract/Surreal” will remain on display at Gallery Main Street until Tuesday. Gallery Main Street is open from noon to 4 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays sthrough Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays.
For more information, call 903-593-6905.
“Alternative Abstract/Surreal” will remain on display at Gallery Main Street until Tuesday. Gallery Main Street is open from noon to 4 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays sthrough Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays.
For more information, call 903-593-6905.
