Artists Respond to the Moment at PHES Gallery

 by Patricia Frischer

Viviana Lombroso – Threatening the very fabric of our democracy

In this exhibition at PHES Gallery filled with such a large variety of works, artists were asked to respond to the moment. That was taken by us to think about how the world as being subjected to acute political forces.

Co-owner of PHES Gallery Paul Henry remarked,  “From over 200 entries, the 39 selected artworks illustrate a wide and varied range of expressions that are personal, political, and powerful.” He was hoping for work that would, “ challenge us to confront “uneasy” realities” and that was what was delivered in a diverse variety of mediums.  

Many of the works are directly political: Scott Bruckner’s “My Country” and Viviana Lombroso’s “Imperiled” all draw from conflicts in today’s headlines.  Other works respond more personally like Phil Petrie confronting his personal issues in “Home”, Some are hopeful or ask us to have faither, others seem perilous and worried about the type of world we are leaving to later generations,

All the art has justifiable statements about the topic,  and are highly personal and that is what makes this gathering of art such a great place for contemplation. Examine the works with the printed artist statement and you can find relevance to the world at large and for your own self. 

Scott Bruckner – we are so divided we are we are no longer functional

Heidi Rufeh – migration meets climate changes in  this warm colored composition

Richard Hawk – Life often goes at a glacier pace, but sometimes you need a bold fast action

Anna Stump – the back of lost and found needlepoint, embellished with words reflecting those lost women

Philip Petrie – an empty home representing an empty life, an empty society  

Denise Yaghmourian – discarded and distressed flag badges

Denise Yaghmourian – discarded and distressed flag badges (detail)

Aleya Lanteigne – the artist’s statements refers
 to a “life lived” and an object
“embedded with history”, but the
erotica screams out…who wants to grab this pussy?

Paul Henry – Little Hope Chest….it says it all.

Artist Talk moderated by Ellen Speert, co-own of PHES Gallery (left to right) Heidi Rufeh, Michelle Moore, Jim Bliesner, and Christiana Rosenthal.

Artists Respond to the Moment at PHES Gallery
July 27 – September 1, 2025
2633 State Street, Carlsbad, 92008
Gallery hours Thursday through Saturday 2-7pm and by appointment.
info@PHESGallery.com 
The full catalog can be found at PHES Gallery