Pioneer Square Art Walk: May 2014

Posted on May 10, 2014, 12:10 am
4 mins

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As Spring (and sunshine) come to Seattle, art walk goers flocked to Pioneer Square and its surrounding galleries. The shows on display this month seem to mimic the summer vibes that are descending on our city. PUNCH Gallery, Room 104, Foster/White and Abmeyer + Wood all featured playful and bright works. While it may be beautiful out, be sure to come inside and check out the art.

PUNCH Gallery – Cynthia Camlin

"Divided Earth." Photo courtesy of Cynthia Camlin and PUNCH Gallery.

“Divided Earth.” Photo courtesy of Cynthia Camlin and PUNCH Gallery.

I was instantly taken by Cynthia Camlin’s Cracked Prospects at PUNCH Gallery in February. Camlin’s exploration of glacial landscapes and internal structure builds a path for abstract patterns and design while retaining a sense of realism. In Divided Earth, Camlin continues this vision of geometry and gradient color on a much larger scale. Camlin has created a display of rectilinear works that recall the internal structure of her vinyl polymer emulsion pieces. Like the work’s organic inspiration, the exhibit will grow and expand. Camlin states, “It is a picture of a system, interconnected, web-like, but cracking. It could be ice, or architecture, or the mind.”

Room 104 – Laurence Landois

"Home Sweet Home." Photo courtesy of Claire Reiner.

“Home Sweet Home.” Instagram by the author.

Laurence Landois’ On the Way features impressively detailed drawings of architectural structures, as well as an eye catching installation. While Landois hails from Nantes, France, the installation Home Sweet Home and the related drawings are informed by the story of Edith Macefield and her home in Ballard. The wooden houses hung from the ceiling in Home Sweet Home are tiny replicas, with cascading strings dangling beneath. Landois’ drawings are “all architectural fantasies about the Macefield house.” The detailed drawings, done with ink and posca on graph paper, seem to celebrate the beauty of facades. Though somewhat small, the drawings become “monuments to momentous events.”

Foster/White-Eric Zener

"Staying Beneath It All." Image courtesy of Eric Zener and Foster/White Gallery.

“Staying Beneath It All.” Image courtesy of Eric Zener and Foster/White Gallery.

Eric Zener’s current show captures an almost surreal world—underwater visions that at first glance are snapshots of a dancer. His mixed media approach luminously captures the marvel of movement underwater and gives a layered glow to beach scenes. Zener defines these moments as “our collective desire for transformation into something ideal…I seek to create a sense of sanctuary.” The isolation of the figure in these works speaks to this idea of sanctuary–a form encased in the safety of the water. Although swimming is often a playful exercise, Zener’s work suggests a deeper, symbolic aspect of the act.

Abmeyer + Wood – Randy Beckelheimer

"La Hacienda." Image courtesy of Randy Beckelheimer and Abmeyer + Wood.

“La Hacienda.” Image courtesy of Randy Beckelheimer and Abmeyer + Wood.

Randy Beckelheimer’s Northwest Passage celebrates the beauty of our region with scenic photorealistic oil paintings on canvas. Beckelheimer, as stated by Abmeyer + Wood, “draws inspiration from the quiet beauty of Venetian Renaissance masters, such as Bellini, Titian and Giorgione.” This inspiration is evident in Beckelheimer’s mastery of light, a gift of Titian. The subjects have a quiet simplicity, drawing attention to the beauty of the everyday. So when you walk back outside, you might find the world a little more lovely, so it really is worth stepping inside and spending some time with these works.

Claire Reiner is a writer, artist and recent graduate from the University of Washington’s School of Art with a major in Art History. She is interested in recent art movements and subcultures (1950s, 60s, 70s) and how they have shaped present perceptions and practices of art. She grew up in Southern California and moved to Seattle in 2010. She is quite influenced by the unique geography of both places and enjoys hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest. Reiner covers visual art exhibits in Seattle and seeks to contribute to a profound and positive artistic community, as well as encourage people to come out and experience art moments for themselves. Reiner is also the Executive Assistant for VanguardSeattle and handles any press related needs.