Yvonne Hanks & Ingrid Hendrix

July 29-August 24

Check out our new PHOTO BLOG.
You'll find pictures from the opening. 

 
Yvonne Hanks paintings can be described as mixed media on board, integrating both drawing and painting in the same piece.  Though much of her artwork depicts what appear to be traditional subjects of figures and still life, this body of work is an exploration of contradictions within this theme.  She is intrigued by the idea of showing situations that seem natural, but at second glance is quite the opposite.  Flowers made of metal or mingling of various animals perched in vicarious positions are both examples of this concept.  “It has always been my contention that it is possible for friction and harmony to not only coexist, but that there can sometimes even be comfort with this contradiction.” The overriding theme that is consistent across most of her work is the overt use of seemingly disparate images to fill the composition.

Pictured: "Determined" mixed media on board

Ingrid Hendrix is a ceramic artist who combines both humor and a dark side to her artwork.  Her sculptures are based on toys.  To quote Hendrix, “Traditionally toys taught life lessons such as how to be a mother, how to cook, and how to drive.  My toys, however, are dysfunctional and teach life’s more unexpected lessons.  They show the more mysterious and often dark side of the human condition.”  She uses both clay and mixed media to make her point.  In one such piece, antlers are attached to the ceramic heads of two creatures that are in turn attached to the same body. The piece is entitled “Janus”, referring to the Roman God with two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. These heads were rumored to look both into the future and the past.  With Hendrix creations, interpretations are left up to the viewer.

Pictured: "Janus" ceramic with antlers