by Patricia Frischer
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| Adam Braly Janes |
Theodor
Adorno (1903–1969) was an art critic who believed that mass culture was dumbing
down our society. He admired art that was difficult. In this exhibition Adorno
has a contradictory meaning as adornment in art recognized that truth without
beauty can be pretty unbearable. The artists in this exhibition at Oolong Gallery embrace both philosophies.
This
is the third North County location for Oolong Gallery run by Eric Laine.
It is a smaller space, but the work was nicely spaced to give you a chance to
see each one and close attention was paid to the interaction between the works.
Laine takes full advantage of the venues in the Ranch to gather collectors from
Los Angeles and Orange County. We would to see young Rancho Santa Fe residents
make this one of their gathering places. After a long run of solo exhibitions,
Laine has returned to his love of group displays.
Adam
Braly Janes
surprises in the most subtle way. His color palate pays tribute to Phillip Guston,
but the diminutive ladder attached to the wall at an angle, with its red side
facing the wall and the white side blending into the way is a master class in understatement.
Victoria
Fu (a
San Diego Art Prize recipient) combines photographs, paintings, glass sculptures,
video into an array of color and shape and it was the glimpses of human figure
that was the most intriguing. The glorious glass with the video shing through
was luscious and provocative.
Ricardo
Galvan’s Superman and Zorro are
playful at first glance, but a rapid dog or wolf chasing down the man of steel?
And Zorro coupled with the bat mobile is
confusing with words that could be an expression of angst or fear. Or is AIE…The Academy of Interactive
Entertainment (a 3D animation/game design educator) or Artificial Intelligence
Engineer (a certification/role), or could it refer to the Army's Accessions
Information Environment. Probably none of the above, so just enjoy the brush
work.
Amy
Adler
presents selfie portraits with rich texture of oil pastels on rough canvas. Paintings
of photographs is not new, but portraits of portraits look fresh and
appealing.
When
is a cinderblock, not a cinderblock? When it is enlarged and becomes a metal
bench. And do we need to stand up and salute flag poles with no flags and bent
into a spaghetti of lines and bulbs. Josh Callaghan poses these
questions and challenges us to wonder.
Christian
Olid-Ramirez
long horizontal composition really fools
the eye. It looks flat and colorful, but walk up close and you see your original
perception is wrong. Paper Mâché carton shapes create the hills and valleys and
reflect lots of his Mexican heritage.
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| Adam Braly Janes |
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| Adam Braly Janes |
Victoria Fu
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| Victoria Fu |
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| Victoria Fu |
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| Ricardo Galvan |
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| Ricardo Galvan |
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| Amy Adler |
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| Josh Callaghan |
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| Josh Callaghan |
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| Christian Olid-Ramirez |
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| Christian Olid-Ramirez |
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| Christian Olid-Ramirez |
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| Christian Olid-Ramirez |
Adorno
Oolong Gallery
Jan10 – Feb. 14, 2026
Amy Adler, Josh Callaghan, Victoria Fu, Ricardo Galvan, Adam Braly Janes, and
Christian Olid-Ramirez .
6030
La Flecha, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Wed
– Sat 10 to 5, Tuesday by appointment. Closed Sunday and Monday.
1 858 229 2788 info@oolongallery.com
