TRIPLEX: Three Strands of Thought

TRIPLEX: Three Strands of Thought

by

Wendy Denton, Edward Gillum & Kris Kessey

November 7 to December 1, 2024

Art Hop Reception: November 7th • 5 – 8 PM

Friday Photography Live • November 22, 2024 • 7PM

We chose to title our show TRIPLEX, Three Strands of Thought , (noun:
trip-leks) using an illustration of a triple helix DNA molecule, a rare genetic structure where the third strand winds around the central double helix in the larger spaces left by the original staircase shape.

The three of us sought different themes that are aspects of being human.
Kris chose “Hands “, Wendy chose “Aging “ and Ed chose “Curtains?”

KRIS KESSEY: HANDS • Hands are the “tool of tools” according to Aristotle.  They are the most frequently symbolized part of the human body… a complex, prehensile, multi-fingered appendage with opposable thumbs.  A grasping tool.  As humans, we use them in countless ways… for holding, stroking, caressing, punching, slapping,  grabbing, drawing, eating, operating machinery, pushing buttons, communicating,  the list is long…

I am not sure when I first became aware of how unique and useful hands are, I had taken them for granted for a long while.  Then one day I noticed that my hands were very similar to my father’s hands but not so much to my mothers. I noticed that my siblings also had our fathers hands.   I started to look at my friends’ hands, other relatives and strangers… how they were different and how they were the same, particularly among families.  I took my first photos of hands  in the mid-80’s – my father at his drafting board and my mother doing her morning crossword.  I took a group photo of my siblings’ hands in the late 90’s that I have included in this show.  

The rest of the images I am sharing are from friends, family and people I’ve met during my travels.

Every hand tells a story… the size, shape, length of fingers, skin texture, scars, wrinkles, paint stains, calluses… each one unique to the individual.  The hands reflect expression, emotion, personality, character, experience, culture, and occupation.  They provide insight into a person that words cannot.  I love the way hands can convey so much to us.  As a photographer, I am always drawn to images of hands, and I am delighted to share some of my favorite ones with you here.

WENDY DENTON: AGING •

In my exhibit thread, I explore the intricate tapestry of aging—its beauty, its challenges, and its profound stories. Each photograph captures not just the passage of time but the essence of lived experiences etched in the lines of a face, the grace of a posture, and the wisdom reflected in a gaze.

As we navigate through life, our bodies and spirits evolve, presenting a unique narrative that often goes unnoticed. This series invites viewers to pause and reflect on their own perceptions of aging, challenging societal norms that frequently celebrate youth while overlooking the richness of maturity.

I’ve sought to capture moments that convey vulnerability and strength—quiet reflections, shared laughter, and moments of solitude. I address such themes as “Forgetting Words,” “Consumer Culture and Aging,” “Pain,” “Indigenous Thoughts on Aging,” and others.

This exhibition is a reminder that aging is not merely an end but a continuation of stories, experiences, and identities. It honors those who have come before us and encourages a dialogue about the beauty of growing older, embracing every wrinkle and every gray hair as a testament to a life fully lived.

I invite you to step into this journey with me and see the profound beauty in aging, where every photograph is a chapter in the ever-evolving story of humanity. Thank you for joining me in this exploration of time, memory, and the art of living fully at every age.

EDWARD GILLUM: CURTAINS? •

It was the mid 70s, and we had survived the 60s.

As an art student, majoring in sculpture, I was very happy to learn techniques like mold making and bronze casting. 

My financial aid would run out soon, so I would need to make some decisions. UCSC did not offer grad courses so I would have to leave Santa Cruz if I chose to seek an MFA.  

Over beer and pizza, my best friend told me about a special topics class being offered by a visiting professor Christina Hooper, “Generative Systems “.  Little did I know how participating in this class would not only open my mind to new possibilities and ideas, but most significantly how to analyze the nature of systems and to try to understand the relational aspects of connectedness.

The biggest change I felt from taking this class was that I would no longer be content to be an “object maker “and my focus shifted from applying methods and techniques aimed at how well each object I made was crafted to what each endeavor could communicate.

The following summer I participated in a sculpture workshop at San Jose State that would also be a game changer. What I had gained/learned from the “Generative Systems” class began to show up in the work I made and how I talked about art and life experiences.  I didn’t realize how strong of a connection I had made with Tom Walsh, one of the invited artists, until a few weeks after the workshop had ended. This came my way in the form of a letter from professor Tom Walsh, Head of Sculpture at Southern Illinois University, offering tuition waiver and a teaching assistantship . Now all I needed to do was to graduate from UCSC. And that is another story for another time. 

During the “Generative Systems” class, Christina often referred to her mentor, Douglas R. Hofstadter.  His book “Godel, Esher, Bach: an eternal golden braid”, “and won him the Pulitzer Prize.

I was in my second year of the MFA program at SIU-C when a parcel was delivered that included a warm message of hope and a copy of Godel Escher Bach. It is a hefty read, but rewarding.  Some 40 years later, I am retiring from teaching sculpture at Fresno State and I am affiliated with Spectrum Art Gallery, a local venue that specializes in photography and as the name implies all aspects of photography are appreciated and exhibited. 

I signed up for a show in November 2024, along with two dear friends/colleagues, Kris Kessey and Wendy Denton.  While considering how our various creations could work together in the gallery space and what to call the show, etc., I remembered Hofstedter‘s book. By revisiting the basic notion that the work and ideas of three important geniuses could form a golden braid, yet were created with obviously different approaches, and employed systems that were similar in so many relational ways.

My choice was informed by systems out of my control – having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. So my part of the show is an installation that utilizes visual illustrations chosen from the imaging done along with the chemotherapy I was prescribed.  X-rays, MRIs and PET scans were made to illustrate the malady and to gauge the progress of healing toward remission.  Vacuum formed 3-D replicas of  pills and capsules are flanked by photographic representations of decay and preservation printed on fabric to form the curtains.

Spectrum Art Gallery Print Auction Exhibition 2024

Spectrum Art Gallery Print Auction Exhibition

October 3 to 25, 2024

Art Hop Reception: October 3rd • 5 – 8 PM

Location: Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E. Olive Ave, Fresno CA 93728 

•••••

Live Print Auction Event: October 26, 2024 • 1PM to 4PM 

Location: Dulce Upfront, 2026 N. Van Ness Blvd, Fresno CA 93704

We are excited to present this year’s Photographic Auction and Exhibition. As in the past, we will showcase many wonderful works by Spectrum members, along with contributions from local and national photographers. Additionally, we are privileged to offer two photographs from Edward Weston’s portfolio.

The Annual Print Auction exhibition opens on Art Hop at Spectrum Art Gallery on Thursday, October 3rd, and continues through October 25th.

On Saturday, October 26th, all photographs will be relocated to the venue Dulce Upfront for the Live Print Auction. This spacious venue will provide a lively atmosphere for the auction and will include a silent auction, food, and refreshments.

Join us for an exciting afternoon of art and bidding! 

Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your art collection and support a meaningful cause! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, from 1-4 pm at the newly remodeled Dulce Upfront, located in the Fresno High area at 2026 N. Van Ness Blvd., Fresno CA. Prepare for an exciting event of art, food, fun, and impactful giving!

 

We would like to thank our generous friends and colleagues for donating their beautiful photography, monetary donations, your time and efforts to our fundraiser.

A big thank you to the local businesses who have donated items for the silent auction and drawings.

 

Menagerie of Light by Victoria Flores, Meg Kosloff, Josh Moulton

MENAGERIE OF LIGHT

September 5 to 29, 2024

Art Hop Reception: September 5th • 5 – 8 PM 

Friday Photography Live Presentation: Artist Discussion September 27th, 2024 • 7 PM

The phrase, Menagerie of Light, evokes the idea of a diverse and vibrant collection of light sources or visual effects, similar to how a menagerie is a collection of various animals. It suggests a scene that is rich, varied, and possibly magical or enchanting in its visual impact. In the context of photography, a menagerie of light refers to the diverse and intricate ways light is captured and manipulated in an image.

Victoria’s inspiration for her images comes from chasing light and discovering interesting organic shapes. She truly enjoys exploring and capturing moments of natural beauty. While photographing botanicals might seem mundane to some, she finds it exciting. By using multiple exposures on her digital camera, she creates intriguing new shapes from the plants and flowers in the environment. These new blooms evoke an ethereal feeling that many people can relate to when strolling through nature. Photography serves as an escape from the stresses of everyday life and a way to strengthen her artistic muscles. Her goal is to capture the essence of nature in a fresh way while presenting it differently from the norm.

Victoria Flores is the Spectrum Art Gallery manager and webmaster. She is an accomplished artist, adjunct professor at Fresno City College and a CSUSacramento Alumni. She has seamlessly integrated formal education, technical expertise, and community service throughout her diverse career in visual arts.

For this exhibition, Meg chose black and white photographs to showcase her distinctive approach to capturing “light.” Light is what allows us to see the world around us, and without it, there would be no such thing as photography. Meg delights in capturing the spectacular, gritty, “normal,” courageous, and bizarre aspects of the world we live in. She tends to be spontaneous when she shoots, seizing compelling moments and trying to capture the light before it fades away. Whether it’s spotlights in a dark music venue, soft diffuse light dispersing into seemingly quiet spaces during a rainstorm, or a silhouetted dancer in the sky, the starkness and softness of black and white make these two commanding shades capable of signifying everything and nothing at once. Meg is excited to share this space with two fellow photographers who also capture the world in their own distinct ways.

Meg Kosloff’s portfolio showcases a diverse range of subjects, including street scenes, bands/musicians, food, and landscapes, making her aptly described as a lifestyle photographer. Beyond her creative pursuits, Meg is also an accomplished ICU nurse with a wealth of experience in listening to people’s stories. She loves embarking on adventures and spending time with her husband and their two adorable kitties.

Joshua Moulton is an award-winning landscape photographer who seeks out large, imaginative scenes that skew towards the fantastical. With a backpack chock full of camera gear—Joshua is ready for any condition as he will often be found ankle-deep in rivers, traversing questionable heights, and craning his neck upwards with digital Fuji in hand to capture a fleeting moment. 

Menagerie of Light is a collection of images captured in 2024 with a focus on the American deserts with overlapping, yet discernible points of view. Each scene is transformed by unique light compelling the artist to capture its moment, to engage the shutter, to freeze time. 

Joshua is a CSU Fresno alumni with a BA in Geography. When not traveling, this Central California native stays close to home in Clovis with his favorite companion – his beautiful wife Jessica, their two cats and his Onewheels.

Art Hop Reception: September 5, 2024 • 5-8PM

Friday Photography Live: Artist discussion  September 27, 2024 • 7PM