Minimal brightly painted sculptures hang from white walls, accentuating the depth they have to offer.
In hot pink and black open boxes sit wire configurations that remind me of cell structures. Benjamin Eckert’s sculptures, “20140910” and “20140520” are made from wood, wire and debris and priced at $100.
The thirtieth “Small Images” exhibit held its reception at 5 p.m. this evening inside the Atkinson Gallery.
Artists, instructors and gallery assistants filled the room to admire the work created by Santa Barbara locals, as well as students that were excited to have their work displayed at one of the most looked forward to events of the year.
Lynn Coleman’s painting, “Rattus Silberbergus” is made from shredded divorce documents, automotive lacquer and oil paint. The hilarious rat is seen laughing in her portrayal of something that might be intended as something more serious.
A faint orange light is seen as a small object, possibly a car traveling through the night. In a purple-lit sky lay the natural beauty of a forest. With Creamsicle-colored paint acting as shadows from the sky, Phoebe Brunner illustrates the scenery on a tree slice. With oil colors, Brunner created an elaborate dream all on a piece of wood.
Three awards were given out and presented by this year’s juror, Tif Sigfrids, of Tif Sigfrids gallery in Los Angeles. Bill Willway won second prize for his mixed media painting, “Another Day, Another Dollar.” His painting incorporates old bottle caps of beers and migrant workers in a field.
Third prize was awarded to Samah Yasin, whose untitled sculpture is made from aluminum. Yasin’s sculpture was sold right away for $48. What resembles a hand clutching on for stability is represented through bright yellow pigments, with splatters of gray paint.
Yet it was Eckert’s cell-like sculptures that were awarded the juror’s prize. It might have been the finite detail added into his modern pieces or the use of color that had viewers take a second and third look.
Another favorite was Tio Vivo’s painting, “Terremoto,” which translates to ‘earthquake’ in English. Created using the painting technique Fresco-secco, where pigments are ground in water and tempered using egg yolk to create a moistened plaster.
Vivo’s painting was listed for $750 and sat inside a wood frame, with colors of deep ocean blues and blood orange-red.
George Sanders painting, “Wavey Candy” takes you back to candy buttons on a sheet of paper. Using colored pencil, vinyl copolymer and acrylic on canvas, Sanders creates a feeling of nostalgia and a warning of eating extremely sugary treats. His painting is done in bright green and muted green colors and is on sale for $500.00.
A variety of work was represented at this year’s “Small Images” show. Almost 400 pieces of art were submitted for the show and only 39 pieces were chosen to be on display.
The Atkinson Gallery will continue to host the work until October 31, inside the Humanities building.
