By Patricia Frischer
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| Mely Barragan (detail) |
2022 SD Art Prize at Central
Library Gallery
Anya Gallaccio, Janelle Iglesias, Joe Yorty, Mely Barragan
October 28, 2023 – January 13, 2024
Reception Sat. Oct 28, 3 to 5 pm
Presented by San Diego Visual Arts Network
Curated
by Dr. Lara Bullock, Senior Civic Art Manager,
City of San Diego
I am always excited and then thrilled to see the exhibition of the SD Art Prize artists in the stunning space at the Central Library 9th floor gallery, which is a perfect showcase for the 16th year of the prize. This year all the artists are sculptors and the fabulous floor of the gallery made each work reflect the intent of their creations.
All is not what it seems when you first glimpse
these works. So slow down and pay attention. The flag represents no country.
The big black void has more to tell you. No, the double hearts are not as three-dimensional
as they appear. This is not really a wood pallet and not all the rocks are
photographs. It is only by exploring can you actually fix these objects in your
memory as the title suggests. There are message everywhere, but sometimes
encrypted. There are larger stories from these artist of excellence who show
their work internationally and live in San Diego to enhance our lives.
Mely Barragan
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| Mely Barragan |
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| Mely Barragan |
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| Mely Barragan (detail) |
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| Mely Barragan (detail) |
Anya Gallaccio was one of the four English Turner Prize finalist in 2003 and in 2007 she came here to teach at USCD. It is fascinating to see how her work has progressed, now using tech to re-create nature by printing a 3-D mountain in clay. Clay is not easily controlled and even after selecting and firing and glazing fragments of this production, the clay shows through, optimistically endeavoring to survive all we do to it. The same is true, it seems, of a fine art packing case. Burnt and painted, it stand empty asking us to recall the art within while becoming the art itself. And the pallet that helped to move that crate is now a marble monument. The artists is not just speaking of nature, but commenting on the art world vagaries and markets.
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
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| Anya Gallaccio (detail) |
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| Anya Gallaccio |
Janelle Iglesias takes ordinary things (rocks, bar codes, plastic plants) and placing them in extraordinary combinations. She uses wrapping paper pre-printed with rock images, her own photographs of rocks as well as real rocks in this composition. The process of collecting both natural and human-made objects, fake and real becomes a reflection on how we are treating the world. These collection of stones were gathered by her young son on their walks and hold sweet memories.
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| Janelle Iglesias |
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| Janelle Iglesias (detail) |
Joe Yorty discovered that what you throw away is a sign of your class. The object themselves accumulate signs of your life and those stained, faux wood surfaces are honored as he de-constructs and re-constructs his art works. Although is appears that these works are three-dimensional, one has to walk up close and view the faux wood veneers to realize that they are completely flat. In fact, if it were not for the stand the works could hang on the wall. You have to dis-believe what your eyes tell you. The result is an exceptional set of sculptures by an artist who honors objects that others discard. Furthermore, he is not afraid to use the universe symbol of love, the heart, and even add the holiday ornaments for the season of magic.
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| Joe Yorty |
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| Joe Yorty (detail) |
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| Joe Yorty (detail) |
Binding us or dividing us with positive or
critical views, these four artists show us that no opinions are ignored. The
viewer takes comfort in knowing we are not alone in how we feel. We are all
together in this time of confusion and striving.
Please note: our great
thanks to those who contributed so generously and made the stunning catalog
designed by Alexander Kohnke and printed by Neyenesch Printer free
again this year. It has a terrific introduction by Dr. Lara Bullock who also wrote the very informative
wall labels for this exhibition. Bonnie Domingos from the Central Library, as always, gives us sterling support.
Writers :
Melinda Guillen, Ph.D.
Independent Curator writing for Anya Gallaccio
Elizabeth Rooklidge, Editor, Herein Magazine writing for Janelle Iglesias
Justin Duyao, Independent Writer, Editor and Creative Director
writing for Joe Yorty
Chris Kraus, Independent
Writer and Filmmaker writing for Mely Barragan
Selectors:
Pedro Alonzo - Adjunct Curator at Dallas
Contemporary, Dallas, Texas
Sasanna Temkin - Curator at El Museo
del Barrio, New York, New York
Kathryn Kraczon - Director of Exhibitions
of the Brown Arts Institute (BAI) and Chief Curator of the David Winton Bell Gallery at Brown University,
Providence Rhode Island
2022 SD Art Prize at Central
Library Gallery
October 28, 2023 – January 13, 2024
Reception Sat. Oct 28, 3 to 5 pm
Presented by San Diego Visual Arts Network
Curated by Dr. Lara Bullock,
Senior Civic Art Manager, City of San Diego
Central Library Gallery
9th Floor, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
OnView@sandiego.gov
Mon/Tues: 1 – 7pm
Wednesday/Thurs/Fri: 12 - 5pm
Saturday: 12 - 5pm Sunday: closed
2023 SD Art Prize at
Art
San Diego
Nov 3rd -5th
Presented by San Diego Visual Arts Network
Curated by Dr. Lara Bullock,
Senior Civic Art Manager
Art San Diego Booth #118
San Diego Convention Center Hall E
111 W Harbor Dr. San Diego, CA 92101
Link
for free tickets
Collectors’ VIP Opening Fri, Nov. 3, 6 – 9pm
Weekend Fair Hours
Sat, Nov 4 from 11am – 7pm and Sun. Nov 5 from 11am – 5pm
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