32 C
Dubai
Monday, May 12, 2025
spot_img

Art Scene: The Beauty, Weirdness of the Natural World | Arts & Entertainment

[ad_1]

Currently on view at the Kramer Museum in Ellensburg is an exhibition by artist Justin Gibbens titled “Animal Spirits.”

Using his signature brand of classic natural history painting, Gibbons drew animals from real-life taxidermy. His retouched and stylized images celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world through the use of traditional Chinese thin-line painting and classic scientific illustration.

biography of gibbons justingibbens.com Pointing out that when he “first started moving a pencil around the paper, he was depicting the norm of his childhood: dinosaurs, creepy crawlers and other weird fauna. Not much has changed in forty years.”

A master draftsman, Gibbons was trained in scientific illustration and traditional Chinese painting – skills he employed in his zoological drawings. Gibbons’ biography notes that by “elevating the formal conventions of classic natural science illustration, he imagined through the lens of nineteenth-century field artists the curious wildlife of a forgotten piece of natural history.” His “stylized and embellished images tell evolution, mutation and biodiversity, and perhaps serve as a cautionary tale and stand-in for our anthropocentric selves.”

As Gibbons sees it, “Our world is mysterious and fascinating and strange, and the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom is multilayered, complex and ambiguous. It is through his work that he enjoys celebrating this.”

Although Gibbons often referred to classic natural history sources, he preferred to paint directly from actual, on-hand specimens, as the process allowed for a closer look at colour, texture and form. Using taxidermy mounts as well as window casualties and found road kills, Gibbons presents provocative, larger-than-life gestures of birds, mammals, and other creatures, often depicting each within a stark, uncertain space. An animal in an animation paused state. In doing so, the images function as totems, a reminder of the impermanence of all living things.

Matthew Lennon, director of the Kramer Museum, said: “Gibbons’ work stands out because of his ability to foster a visual dialogue between contemporary naturalistic styles and the work of artists of the past. Through Gibbons’ Animal Spirits, we Be gently reminded that death does not discriminate between animals or humans. Through our deaths we are connected to every living being. Gibbons’ work encourages us to live with heart and respect.”

Gibbens received a BA in Painting from Central Washington University in 1998 and a Certificate in Scientific Illustration from Washington University in 2003. He is a founding member of the PUNCH Projects, an artist collective based in central Washington.

“Animal Spirits” is on view through February 4th.

David Lynx is executive director of the Larson Gallery at Yakima Valley College. He writes this weekly column for Explore.to know more information www.larsongallery.org.

[ad_2]

Source link

Related Articles

UAE Star-Studded 2025 Concert Calendar: Jennifer Lopez, Rod Stewart, and More

UAE  is poised to deliver an electrifying array of concerts and cultural events throughout 2025, featuring performances by global superstars and a diverse mix...

Art Dubai Fair 2025 Shines as Global Cultural Powerhouse Amid Economic Uncertainty

Art Dubai Fair 2025 stood as a powerful testament to the resilience and evolution of the international art scene. The fair defied odds by attracting...

UAE to Witness Rare Astronomical ‘Smiley Face’ in the Sky.

UAE are in for a delightful cosmic treat as a rare celestial event is set to grace the skies on the night of April...

Aurora Magic Continues: Northern Lights Dazzle Skies Across the North

Aurora Magic Continues: Northern Lights Dazzle Skies Across the North The mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights continues to captivate skywatchers across the northern hemisphere,...

Oscar Piastri Seizes Saudi Grand Prix Victory, Takes Lead in 2025 F1 Championship

Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, securing a pivotal victory that vaulted him to the...

Latest Articles