On the face of it, Sabine Meyer Zu Reckendorf’s delightful, zany, whimsical sculptures and the light-filled, delicate paintings and mixed media work of Karrie Ross might not seem a match for a gallery presenting two solo artists. Different styles, mediums, all of that.
But together at the Fred Tieken Gallery in Chinatown – the two artists’ diverse solo shows merged perfectly. The beautifully curated work of both Zu Reckendorf and Ross felt magically aligned. With a gallery show both packed with fun and meaning, the two artists created a vibrant show.
With her exhibition Uncharted Encounters, Ross offers lush, highly intricate works which she calls “visual details of personal survival.” Highly detailed, each of her pieces flow with light and motion, captivating viewers with the layers of color, line, and touches of gold. Wirework as fine as a spider’s web, small totems, woven things are a part of a number of pieces here, which include images from the Ross’s Kimono series.
There is something both eternal and ephemeral about the artist’s work; one feels a sense of wonder in these pieces. Abstract yet personal, these pieces shimmer and dance. Viewers would be unsurprised if the moment they looked away, the works flung themselves into motion, merely suspending their movement to allow a closer look into their depths. Ross makes the minute details she creates seem almost effortless, as if they had created themselves from within.
Zu Reckendorf ‘s Utopic Creations “the discipline of science brought into the exuberant play of creative art” are crafted from discarded materials, designed and fabricated into vibrant, often amusing, always intriguing, and incredibly alive sculptures. They’re simply wonderful, filled with a wild and rich, highly tactile energy that’s contagious to viewers.
From a silver rat with glowing red eyes to robotic-like creatures with standing-up multi-colored plastic hair, she is shaping beings as well as art.
A wonderful miniature draws viewers into a glowing little world; brilliantly colored lights glow within highly textured works.
The pairing of the two artists is as smooth as it is unexpected. Touches of color are a match.
The curves and sweeps of Ross’s lines mesh well with the fascinating creatures and worlds that Zu Reckendorf has shaped.
Together these two artists have assembled shows that are like a beacon of light and magic.
Both, despite the diversity of their mediums, have created complex work with unique materials; by drawing viewers into their journeys, the world is a brighter place.
It’s a neat trick indeed to pair such diverse work and make it sing together, a joyous chorus of art in really almost perfect harmony.
The show closed July 21st, but Ross and Zu Reckendorf are out there creating, both LA-based artists you should pounce upon seeing, serving up a magical concoction called art.
- Genie Davis; Photos: Genie Davis