Through August 30th, Garel Fine Art Gallery in Manhattan Beach presents a richly meaningful exhibition, The Other Side: Art, Recovery, and the Human Condition.
Curated by contributing artist Robin Jack Sarner, the show features work by Kylie Ames, Jackie Leishman, Amy Lyu, Monica Marks, Anjale Perrault, Robin Jack Sarner, Katin Sarner, Kristine Schomaker, and Lynnie Sterba. The wide varieties of mediums presented adds to a sense of heady exploration and meaningful exchange. There are mixed media images, paintings, sculpture, and read aloud at the opening event, even poetry.
While the exhibition can be viewed solely as a vivid, thoughtful look at the human condition, the show meaningfully focuses on a specific such condition: eating disorder survival. Each of the artists has been affected in one way or another, adding a deeper layer of meaning and felt experience to what is a vibrant, fascinating exhibition that thoughtfully and passionately explores both the collective experience and individual narratives that touch on strength and survival, often silent yet deep struggles, mental health, and healing.
Sarner describes the show as personally meaningful, “born from my own lived experience and the journey of helping my
daughter through hers. It is both personal and universal, an offering for those still struggling, those who’ve made it to the other side…”
While self-worth, healing, and mental health are powerful and important subjects, the show’s gorgeous textures, bright colors, and sense of community support are equally worthy.
Amy Lyu’s “FEAR” is extremely moving, a large acrylic on canvas work that literally and figuratively spells out the terrifying and compelling emotion of being afraid, pulling us in with purple lettering and soft pastel abstract images.
Kristine Schomaker, a tireless advocate for mental health and coping with disordered eating, is showing sculptural works that are literal pieces of her life, whether the multicolored jarred Yogurtland spoons enhanced with glitter, thread, and paint in her “Comfort and Joy,” or creations made up of her own cut up and stored painted works and life ephemera now in bags and jars on a kitchen worktable, “Picture Perfect.” It is perhaps the pieces of ourselves that come together to offer perfections/imperfections and comfort and joy to those ready to accept them. Schomaker also covered gallery front windows with iridescent dots – little marks of hope and happiness.
Kiley Ames’ series of figurative oil on paper or linen paintings, as well as her supple clay sculptures are also standouts…
Monica Marks offers her own rewarding clay and resin sculptures as well as found art and collage wall works in vivid shades.
Curator Robin Jack Sarner presents works that are both deep in textures and layers and also in a sense of revealed truths.
Each of the artists on view are strong — offering bold color, fascinating use of line, and unique mediums, as well as providing a sense of unearthed feeling and mystery-revealed throughout.
Gallerist Joanna Garel left; artist Kristine Schomaker, right.
So what actually is The Other Side? It is honestly any place that awaits through the succor of art, the healing of heart, or the serene moments when self and soul finally reveal themselves to be one. This is an exhibition about intimate feelings and the healing of community and creativity. It’s a meaningful presentation; kudos to Garel Fine Art for bringing it to the South Bay.
- Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis and Monica Marks