Transcendant – The Art of Angelica Sotiriou – San Pedro Art Walk

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The San Pedro art walk continues to be a wonderful opportunity to find exciting art. A highlight of this month’s  walk was discovering the work of artist Angelica Sotiriou. Her paintings have a mystical, magical quality that draws the viewer into her unique vision.

“It’s my voice. I’ve known since I was a child, the only way I can survive is my art. It’s my world,” Sotiriou says. Working with acrylics, she considers herself a contemplative, narrative painter. “My work – I get lost in it. It’s like little portals have opened.” Viewed, this makes perfect sense. Spend any time looking at the paintings and there is the sensation of being pulled into the paintings.

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“All my pieces have to do with looking for light,” Sotiriou relates. Viewing her paintings with their mix of deep blues, rich gold, and shimmering white, she has found it. There is a dimensional quality to her work that reaches beneath the surface of the canvas, and exudes spirituality.  The golds and blues have the resonance of 12th Century icons that have time traveled to the present. When first viewed, we were unaware that the artist was raised in a Greek Orthodox family, or that she had incorporated her religious faith into her paintings. And yet, knowing none of this, to the viewer, her work radiantly expresses pure faith, wonder, and belief. Possibly the best way to describe these pieces is transcendent.

Sotiriou's studio - photo by Jack Burke
Sotiriou’s studio – photo by Jack Burke

In Sotiriou’s studio, the artist’s work, past, present, and in process, all stunningly present images of light and life. “For the first 20 years I created large narrative bas-relief figurative sculptures. Currently I’m working on a crepuscular series, inspired by the beauty of light coming through clouds.”  On her website, the artist says “My recent drawings and paintings have been a personal journey of uncovering and revealing pathways, windows and portals of light and of spirit.” The paintings seem to glow, as if light came from inside the canvas, or the canvas itself was a window.

While many of the artist’s works are large scale, averaging 8′ by 4′, some are more diminutive in size.

Contemplative Narrative Paintings - Angelica Sotriou - Photos by Jack Burke
Contemplative Narrative Paintings – Angelica Sotriou – Photos by Jack Burke

The artist has this quote posted around her gallery and studio:

“I don’t know how
But suddenly there is no darkness left at all
The sun has poured itself inside me
From a thousand wounds.”  – Nikoforos Vretakos

Sotiriou has taught art throughout California, and holds masters degrees from UCLA.  From sculptural pieces to acrylic paintings, the artist has been exhibiting in San Pedro since 2001. See her astonishing work at Loft 2, Second Floor gallery  at 401 Mesa Street in San Pedro.

Artist Angelica Sotiriou right, author left - Photo by Jack Burke
Artist Angelica Sotiriou right, author left – Photo by Jack Burke
  • Genie Davis; Photos by Jack Burke and courtesy of artist

San Pedro Art Walk – First Thursdays

San Pedro Art Walk - Photos by Jack Burke
San Pedro Art Walk – Photos by Jack Burke

San Pedro is a treasure-trove of artist-owned galleries and dynamic exhibitions. Every first Thursday the area around the iconic Warner Grand theater from 6th to 8th Street manifests a bountiful art scene in an evening art walk from 6-9 p.m.

Erika Lizee
Erika Lizee

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Works by Erika Lizee, Echo Lew - Angels' Ink Gallery
Works by Erika Lizee, Echo Lew – Angels’ Ink Gallery

Yesterday, Erika Lizee and Echo Lew were among those featured at the opening of “Exuberance,” at Angels’ Ink Gallery, whose monochromatic theme was devoid of bright color, but nonetheless compelling.

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Huz Galleries
Huz Galleries

At Huz Galleries, Ngene Mwaura was putting the finishing touches on a piece that offered a beautiful contemporary spin on traditional African effigies; the water images of Huss Hardan’s blissfully surreal photographs, and the stunning colors of Wawi Amasha’s “Peacock Manifest” vividly drew viewers into this new gallery.

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Jumbie Art
Jumbie Art

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“Holographic Enlightenment” is the artistic message spread at Jumbie Art, where the owners provided 3-D glasses to enhance the enjoyment. The eye-popping wow needs to be seen in person to fully appreciate.

Gallery 478
Gallery 478

At Studio/Gallery 478, Ray and Arnee Carofano respectively showed evocative photographic art, many of Ray’s depicting LA River scenes, Arnee’s pieces including travel shots illuminating ocean shores and windshield views.

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Michael Stearns Gallery
Michael Stearns Gallery

And at Michael Stearns’ Studio 347, Stearns included pieces such as “Totem Forest” made whimsically from bathroom bamboo, in  a vibrant exhibit that also included the work of Lance Green.

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Studio Hiroko
Studio Hiroko

Beautiful origami cranes representing the prayers of all religions, and utilizing the wood from a toppled bonsai tree, formed one of many untitled creations in the poetic studio and gallery space of artist Hiroko at her Studio Hiroko at 382 7th Street.

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Rapping Sailors
Rapping Sailors

If art isn’t enough, check out street performers – including a group of excellent rapping sailors; food trucks, happy hours at local watering holes, and sidewalk sales by local boutique shops.

Rockin' in the alley
Rockin’ in the alley

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The Garden Church: Rev. Anna Woofenden, resident park dinosaur, live music
The Garden Church: Rev. Anna Woofenden, resident park dinosaur, live music

There’s live music, delicious food, and a “feed and be fed” message at the welcoming Garden Church, too.

Other fine exhibits included the offerings at Warschaw Gallery. Artist Teresa Lewis Pisano exhibited in a converted-for-the-evening hair salon.

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Warschaw Gallery
Warschaw Gallery
Wild Things by artist Teresa Lewis Pisano
Wild Things by artist Teresa Lewis Pisano

We’ll be profiling some of the individual San Pedro artists here in coming weeks, so stay tuned, and mark your calendar for September’s First Thursday art walk.

  • Genie Davis, all photos by Jack Burke