Claire Chambless and Markus Bacher at Oolong Gallery, Solana Beach

 by Patricia Frischer

Claire Chambless, detail

 Claire Chambless  Endgame and Markus Bacher Familie are showing together (unitl March 31st)  at the relatively new Oolong Gallery  in Solana Beach. Eric Laine, the gallery owner, has chosen carefully to select some of the more ghostly images of Bacher to compliment Chambless's intriguing sculptures. He has also coupled a southern California artist with a more internationally known one, which is a very clever "fame by association" technique that is effective.  

I can not help but think of Eva Hesse, one of my all time favorites, when viewing these very sophisticated shapes by Chambless. They have that unfinished look that is not overly polished, but is crafted enough to let you know this artist knows exactly what she is doing. I like that confidence and the authenticity of this work which looks familiar and new at the same time.  The body of work on display holds together strongly and allows you to ruminate on the beauty of the structures and textures without beating you over the head with a story. 

Claire Chambless was born in Houston, Texas and lives and works in Los Angeles. Her MFA in 2020 is from Cal Arts. 

detail

detail

Claire Chambless in front and Markus Bacher in the background

Markus Bacher was born and educated in Austria and now lives in Santa Barbara. He is bringing figuration back into the abstract and color blocked works in a very intimate way. The multi-canvas works almost remind me of cartoon cells when you read the action pictorially. 

Neither artist produced an artist statement for the exhibition. So you are on your own, but that is a good thing for works that speak for themselves. 

Claire Chambless and Markus Bacher at  Oolong Gallery  exhibition Feb 24 to March 31, 2023
349 N Coast Hway 101, Solana Beach, 92075
Eric Laine  info@oolongallery.com  8582292788
Opening Days   gallery is open Wed - Sun 11-5pm

The next exhibition is Christiana Updegraff and Alexandra Carter
You can also revisit the last exhibition Carolyn Castaño Nuevo Amanecer
viewing room   live artist talk