Tuesday, September 19, 2023

A Sense of Place at PHES Gallery, Carlsbad

 By Patricia Frischer

Bruce Dean  and Paul Henry


One of the amazing attributes of an art work is its ability to create an identity. It could be a brand logo for a city, an epic landmark sculpture for a community, or maybe a mural reflection of a cultural segment. It is a refletion of what the community is known for presented in a sort of shorthand. This is what we think of in the arts when we think of making “a sense of place.”

What the PHES Gallery has achieved with this exhibition is a sense of its own place.

Bruce Dean 

Bruce Dean 

Bruce Dean 

Bruce Dean 

Bruce Dean uses scale and perspective to pull you into the canvas, but the way the works are displayed in the space absolutely makes reference to an actual curtain, a chair or a door way in the gallery building itself.



Paul Henry 

Paul Henry detail

Paul Henry 

Paul Henry detail

Paul Henry
infuses more meaning by adding to or being inspired by antique furniture in his own constructions. His entire furniture workshop is located behind the gallery and is an exciting addition to the gallery space where you can see his process on view. It is part of the space and we sense that especially at the opening parties held in the courtyard between the two structures.


Susan Savory

Susan Savory

Susan Savory detail

Susan Savory
creates what we, as children, might draw to represent a house i.e. a little box with a triangular roof. She adds gathered materials to layer as background landscapes for these little homes. She adds in off-set reflections or even shadow likenesses and well as the occasional real object.  In fact, these structures are very like the little cottage that the gallery calls home.  


Bridget Rountree 

Bridget Rountree 

Bridget Rountree 

Bridget Rountree
replaces parts of historical images with newer printer matter or places historical images in a new modern context. They usually make a pointed statement with the juxtaposition. But you are free to create your own interpretation. She is asking you to withdraw from one sense of place and enter another within the frame of the picture. Simply because of her inclusion in this show, PHES gallery is defining it own sense of place as a thoughtful space to enjoy original works of fine art and crafts.

…a sense of place…
PHES Gallery
Sept. 17 to Nov. 25
2633 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Artist Talk with Bruce Dean, Paul Henry, Bridget Rountree, and Susan Savory on Sun. Oct 14 at 5 pm.  
Gallery hours: Thursday – Saturday 2 p.m.-7 p.m. and by appointment 760.696.3022

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