July 23 – August 2, 2003
a group exhibition featuring the work of Brendan Fernandes, Eun-Mi Kim, Melanie Ibadlit, Irina Badescu, Amada Estabillo, Jason Bomers, Mark Martin and Gary Tamkei.
Dictionary meanings aside, the word mend stands as a medium for a new beginning. It also stands as a common ground for eight visual artists who have, not too long ago, started their journeys into the art world. They are:
Brendan Fernandes, Eun-Mi Kim, Melanie Ibadlit, Irina Badescu, Amada Estabillo, Jason Bomers, Mark Martin and Gary Tamkei.
In this exhibition, they will address in their own way the ideas of reparation, restoration, healing, reformation, and reconciliation. Broad topics narrowed down to specific and identifiable pieces will exemplify individual interpretations of the given theme.
How does one move through the world, both physically and metaphysically? Amada Estabillo’s works explore the various strategies or systems of representation that one uses to explain, categorize and navigate through the natural world.
Brendan Fernandes explores relationships between himself and others. He wants his paintings to be open and comforting, leading his audience towards awareness and self-reflection. He wants there to be a quiet moment where the viewers stop and feel nothing before they are able to venture further into the work and see details that were once overlooked.
Satellite photographs of the earth from space are inspiration for the paintings of Jason Bomers. These mixed media works reference abstract painting. They bring into question the human impact on earth as well as the vulnerability of human life. There is a play in the works between representation and abstraction, surface and image, photography and painting.
Using traditional technique, Mark Martin’s representational style allows the viewer to relate to the paintings shown. With this he subtly twists the viewer’s notion of importance through the use of subject. Different objects take on different proportions of importance in “every day” life, a creation of new icons.
The use of words is an intrinsic part of Gary Tamkei’s work. They represent the whole story, while the photographs are but moments captured in the context of that story. In these pieces, Gary investigates those moments that are common to all our lives, which forever hold a place in our psyches; moments that define who we are and help to propel us toward our inevitabilities.
Eun-Mi Kim finds her subject matter in material objects; objects that can be viewed in relation to their ability to mimic the body because they have direct and indirect connections with the body. Meanings are transformed, created, categorized and ranked through a learnt and forced dependence on material objects. Eun-Mi is interested in constructing meaning though materiality.
Melanie Ibadlit deals with the complexities of language and communication. Listening and expressing are vital components to all relationships. The absorption of words instills fear and uncertainty. Her photographs denote momentary images in our lives where we have every intention to express a though, but do not. It is a daunting realization to see that the duty of words weakens when we fail to extract our thoughts into language.
Irina Badescu’s artwork combines sewing patterns with Japanese and rice papers. By adding the “feminine touch”, Irina willingly faces her audience with stereotypes often placed on women by current trends. Although the messages are present, they do not dominate the artwork. The viewer is not bombarded with militant ideology. A social dialogue is a possibility, however the complexity of the pieces lies in the conceptual subtlety.
