TransFORM exhibit opens at Pleiades Gallery Jan 6, 2014

DURHAM, N.C. - Dec. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Pleiades Gallery presents

transFORM

January 6 – February 16, 2014

Third Friday Reception: Friday, January 17, 6-9 pm

The artists of Pleiades Gallery are excited to present their new group show, “transFORM,” which examines the intersections of metamorphoses, the human form, and the impact of technology on the human experience.

Jim Lee’s newest set of works in this show consists of re-imagined dragonflies: photographs of collected insect wings paired with small inked drawings of fanciful, mechanical dragonfly bodies. These are straightforward photographs of the pairings with no digital manipulation. Think of them as sketches for bionic dragonflies using salvaged real wings for propulsion.

Two of Jim’s older pieces in this show play off the works of two masters, DaVinci and Picasso. “Vitruvian Wasp” asks the viewer to re-imagine Vitruvian Man as a person-sized and person-proportioned insect, a female one at that, and in full frontal nudity. A real living wasp is the subject of the photograph. “Pablo’s Muse (Mantis Therese)” is a modernist spoof on Picasso’s Seated Woman (Maria Therese). A photograph of the actual cast-off exoskeleton of a praying mantis serves as the model of this fabricated work. In both cases Jim Lee anthropomorphized the insect form in a way he hopes links them closer to us instead of giving us reason for further alienation.

A series of paintings in the exhibit by Saba Barnard explore how the human experience and art are transformed by technology. All five paintings are QR codes with paintings underneath. One of the original paintings is a self-portrait of the artist. Digital images of the original paintings can be access by scanning the QR code, but they have otherwise been erased and thus only exist in a digital sense.

“Motherboard,” by Kim Wheaton highlights the powerful metaphors between human and machine and the fundamental role of technology in our lives. In a mixed-media painting that is both beautiful and terrible, a fetus is plugged into computer hardware via a tangle of umbilical cord electrical wires.

Jeweler Jena Matzen interprets the transFORM them quite literally in her work for the show. She uses her lapidary skills to transform rough gems and stones into jewelry/wearable art. Jena will provide at least one example of a "before" and "after" gem or stone that has been transformed into a “jewel.”

“transFORM” will be on exhibit at Pleiades Gallery from January 6 until February 16,  2014. There will be an artists’ reception on the Third Friday of January (1/17) from 6-9 pm.  Gallery hours are: Tues – Thurs from 12 – 7pm, Fri- Sat from 12 – 8 pm, and closed Sun-Mon. Other hours can be arranged by appointment.

ABOUT PLEIADES GALLERY

Pleiades Gallery offers outstanding contemporary art from a select group of talented and award-winning local jewelers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, and painters. Each month the 10 member artists offer intriguing and inspiring installations with receptions on Third Fridays 6-9 pm. Pleiades Gallery welcomes new art appreciators as well as established collectors, and strives to build strong relationships with customers and the broader arts community.  Pleiades Gallery is located in the Five Points area of downtown Durham at 109 East Chapel Hill Street. All Pleiades Gallery events are free and open to the public.

For more information visit the gallery web site at www.pleiadesartdurham.com and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at Pleiades Gallery.

Pleiades Gallery, 109 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701

919-797-2706

PleiadesArtDurham.com

Gallery Hours:

Tues-Thurs:  12 - 7pm

Fri - Sat: 12 - 8pm

Sun & Mon: closed

Other hours by appointment

Contact:

Kim Wheaton

info@pleiadesartdurham.com