Darkness touches all of us ultimately, however Fort Lauderdale artist and curator Angela Yang sought to discover the deeper which means present in darkness and the way it impacts every of us in a different way in her first exhibit as a curator, “In the Dark.” The exhibition at 1310 Gallery, which is part of Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, a live-work area for artists and creatives, opened on Friday, Oct. 25. and can run via Friday, Nov. 15.
“The theme of ‘In the Dark’ is kind of an extension of something I’ve been exploring in my own work,” says Yang. The artist, whose mom handed away in 2020 after affected by Alzheimer’s illness, was her caretaker for a few years. “I got caught up in trying to be strong for so long. But lately, I’ve been having dreams that are getting more and more bizarre, so this show began as a way for me to feel my way through the darkness of discovering my new identity after a difficult period in my life,” says Yang.
She shouldn’t be solely the curator of the exhibition however can be one of many featured artists. 4 of her items will likely be on show together with “Chrysalis,” which is supposed to function a symbolic reflection of her present transformation, she says. “My work in the show is all about finding your way through the darkness and the little processes that can happen within.”
Yang additionally put out a name to Central and South Florida artists who work in all mediums, together with video, efficiency, and music to submit their work choosing 23 from the submissions.
“There are all these different things that one can do in the dark, so I invited other artists to explore whatever subjects they wanted to relate to the darkness that they’ve experienced or observed,” she says.
One of many artists featured, Karla Del Valle, has been portray for a bit of over a 12 months and has discovered artwork to be a therapeutic approach for her to course of the darkness she sees at her job as against the law scene investigator whereas additionally paying homage to her Mexican upbringing.
“I come from Mexico, which is a very traditional Catholic country where we were taught since we were little to be afraid of the dark. But for whatever reason, I never felt afraid of the dark which is why I always knew I wanted to become a crime scene investigator,” says Del Valle.
The Pembroke Pines-based artist who has labored as against the law scene investigator for 17 years was additionally drawn to artwork rising up, nevertheless it wasn’t till her husband gifted her a bundle of 5 artwork lessons that she fell in love with portray. It was throughout that point that she painted her piece that’s on show on the “In the Dark” exhibition entitled “The Séance.”
“I had a challenging case at work that made the international news because it was very gruesome. So, I wanted to paint a family portrait because they are my home and my guiding light in the darkness. That’s why I depicted them holding a candle in a dark room at a séance table with three tarot cards. The Lovers represent my husband and me, Justice because the outcome of that case was excellent, and The High Priestess which I felt represented my daughter and how I want her to lean into her intuition and feminine power,” says Del Valle.
As for Fort Lauderdale-based artist Gary Rodriguez, his tackle the exhibition’s theme differs from his fellow artists. In his work and illustrations, sometimes created utilizing watercolor, Rodriguez highlights his appreciation for science and nature through the use of unusual and unique animals as his topics.
“I love wildlife and science, so I think one of the best things I can utilize art for is to inform people and have them learn something new. So, when it comes to the theme of this exhibition, I thought about literal darkness but, more specifically, the dark depths of the ocean,” he says.
Rodriguez is within the course of of making two items for the exhibit working with acrylics for the primary time whereas specializing in two deep sea creatures – the bigfin squid which is characterised by its string-like tentacles reaching as much as 26 ft in size and the humpback angler fish recognized for rows of sharp tooth and a bioluminescent appendage dangling from its head.
“We have all these remarkable creatures like these two in the deep depths of the ocean which is why people should be a lot more mindful of the decisions that they make towards providing better stewardship for the environment because these creatures might not be around for future generations to admire,” says Rodriguez.
Whereas Rodriguez hopes to encourage a dialog about environmental appreciation and conservation, artist and Broward Faculty professor Niko Yulis emphasizes the significance of narrative and storytelling in his work, which incorporates ceramics, drawing, and portray.
“A lot of my work is narrative-based, and I’m very inspired by storytelling. That’s what I like about stories is that they develop over time as you read them, which is what I aspire to do with my art,” says Yulis. Within the two items he’s created for the exhibition, there’s a layered narrative that encompasses the general theme of darkness.
One piece, entitled “The Art of the Deal,” has a number of meanings hidden all through, together with a nod to the parable that blues musician Robert Johnson met the satan at a crossroads, and in trade for his soul, was given the mastery of the guitar. Yulis additionally pokes enjoyable at one other distinguished determine, which is hinted at within the title.
“It’s meant to be a little poke-and-jab at Donald Trump because I named the piece with his book in mind, and then I thought, is Donald Trump someone who could make a deal with the devil? Probably,” he says.
These inventive creations, together with many extra by the opposite 20 featured artists, will likely be on show on the 1310 Gallery in Fort Lauderdale beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, on the “In the Dark” opening reception.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “In the Dark” Exhibition
WHERE: 1310 Gallery at Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts, 1310 SW 2nd Court docket, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: Exhibition hours are 9:30?a.m. to 4?p.m., Monday via Friday. Via Nov. 14. Closing reception, 6 to eight p.m., Friday, Nov. 15.
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 399-2737 or sailboatbendartists.com
This story was produced by Broward Arts Journalism Alliance (BAJA), an unbiased journalism program of the Broward County Cultural Division. Go to artscalendar.com for extra tales in regards to the arts in South Florida.
