Snowflake Salon, Third Biennial Winter Group Show, Heavy Bubble Headquarters
Artists: Rosalind Bloom, Sarah Bloom, Elena Bouvier, Keith R. Breitfeller, Gregory Brellochs, Kevin Broad, Bill Brookover, Jean Burdick, Danielle Bursk, Justin Bursk, Damini Celebre, Francesca Costanzo, Constance Culpepper, Amanda D’Amico, Pia De Girolamo, Lisa De Girolamo, Brian Dennis, Maryann Devine, John Dickerson, Carol Eddy, Marie Elcin, Terri Fridkin, caroline furr, Rebecca Gilbert, Marjorie Grigonis, Cynthia Groya, Naren Gupte, Marguerita Hagan, Jenna Hannum, Elfie Harris, Casey Heyen, Barbara Hocker, Lauren Litwa Holden, Mallary Johnson, Kim Knauer, Pamela Kogen, Gregg Krantz, John Krause, John Krynick, Melissa Maddonni Haims, carol magnatta, Arlene Gale Milgram, Sofya Mirvis, Lesley Mitchell, Michael Moffa, Tracy Mueller, Meei-Ling Ng, PD Packard, dolores poacelli, Lyric Prince, Donna Quinn, Ana Vizcarra Rankin, Barbara Schaff, Charlotte Schatz, Suzan Scott, Brian Spies, Jacqueline Unanue, Stella Untalan, Josette Urso, TJ Walsh, Carol Wisker, Tamsen Wojtanowski, Wendy Wolf, Julie Zahn, Valerie Ziegler
Snowflake Salon, Heavy Bubble Headquarters. An encaustic piece by Michel Damini Celebre, two woven pieces by John Krynick, and two watercolor pieces by Josette Urso.
The concept of the Snowflake Salon was deceptively simple: Heavy Bubble invited 50 artists to show two artworks each and they could each invite two more artists to show two artworks. So like the fractals on a snowflake the show grew to over 120 artworks by many of Philadelphia’s most accomplished artists. There were size and price limitations but the result is a diverse and thoughtful art exhibit that lines the walls of the recently renovated space on the third floor of 1241 Carpenter Street.
Snowflake Salon, Jenna Hannum, Mesophile, 12″ x 12″. 2014, $100
Jenna Hannum lives and works in Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor of fine arts from Kutztown University and a master of science from Bloomsburg University. Information about her work can be found at her website, www.jennahannum.com
A mesophile is a microscopic organism that is common in beer, wine, cheese and yogurt. They are also a common element of the human microbiome because they like to be not too hot and not too cold, like Goldilocks porridge. The pair of drawings have a soft focus and the delicate textures of the creatures is otherworldly and fantastical. The flower-like shapes float in a field of gray like a planetoid or pollen grain reflecting the connectedness of Nature and our existence. What would a world without Mesophiles be like? No beer? No cheese? And recent discoveries of the human microbiome on mental health, depression and anxiety add even more nuance to the fascinating creatures the artist portrays.
Snowflake Salon, Naren Gupte. From the Study, 4″ x 4″, 2012, $135.
“Naren Gupte is a visual artist concerned primarily with the middle stages of making. His most recent focus has been on monotypes, surface studies, and etchings. He lives in Bella Vista.”
I found myself staring at Naren Gupte‘s drawing for a long time and I kept going back again and again. The simple composition and diminutive size draws the viewer into the scene letting the mind wander to warmer days and time spent in the sun. The marks are naive but the narrative is complex and intriguing. Picasso said, ‘It takes a very long time to become young.’ The tiny drawing is a world unto itself, the lines and shapes, although spare and childlike, tell a story about life on Earth from an adult perspective.
Snowflake Salon, Michael Moffa, Polychrompotic #14, 8″ x 10″, $98, February 1st, 2013
“I am an artist and designer from Philadelphia influenced by 20th Century art and media. My Polychromoptic series draws inspiration from Abstract Expressionism and Pyschedelic bubble light show projections.”
Michael Moffa‘s paintings are abstract yet have a naturalistic quality like flowers and leaves. The splashes of color are enthusiastic and bold, the drips of paint create a garden of delight. In fact the pair of artworks is included in a grouping of florals along the hallway of HBHQ accentuating the the pleasing style that seems so easy yet is really quite complex. The artworks stretch the imagination to make sense of the runny blobs of paint, the restraint and color ways are intellectual and inspiring. Sometimes the simplest technique creates the boldest statement.
Closing TEA PARTY + Sale
Saturday, January 17, 2015 4 – 6 pm
@ Heavybubble HQ, 1241 Carpenter Street : 3rd Floor
Snowflake is ongoing through our closing Tea. Monday + Tuesday, 01/12 – 01/13, Noon – 4PM. Push 303 on the phone box so we can buzz you in. Other times by appointment.
All images courtesy of heavy bubble.
Written by DoN Brewer except where noted.
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