The show will feature a variety of artwork, from printmaking to encaustic and painting, by three women: Traci Durfee, Jamie Kivisto and Jiela Rufeh.
“My work for Urban Primitive is about humans creating with and attempting to control nature,” Kivisto said. “It is meant to ask the question, ‘Are we driven by power or creativity to manipulate our environment?'”
Jiela said she first began experimenting to create a new dialogue with her photography by combining her pictures with unconventional materials such as canvases made of weathered wood, sheet metal scraps and plexiglass.
“The encaustic medium captured my interest,” she said. “This medium suddenly broadened my ability, allowing me to express myself on multiple levels and imbue my work with layered narratives.”
Durfee said that, for this show, she has used a variety of materials and mark-making techniques to create a collection of nostalgic vignettes patched together by graffiti-style collage. “I wanted to create pieces that feel like stories that were handed down through families but have now morphed into something absurd after so many retellings,” Durfee said.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-22-at-10.24.40-AM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”“Night Falls,” encaustic by Jeila Rufeh” captionposition=”left”] Kimberly Hocking, who is curator and founder of Greenly Art Space, said she selected these three artists based on the professionalism of their work and their current exploration of images that evoke both an urban and a primitive feel.
“Viewers will get an opportunity to view a variety of media, all approached with technical proficiency, as well as an emotive quality which invokes a sense of story,” she said.
The opening will be Saturday, Jan. 30 from 6pm to 10pm, and the show will run through March 26. After the opening, the artwork can be viewed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 2pm or by appointment by calling (562) 533-4020. For more information, visit GreenlyArtSpace.org .
