Chris B. Murray, Joel Nakamura, William Zdan, Jasmine Worth

June 6 – 29, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, June 6th; 8-11 PM

Chris B. Murray
“Seasons Change”

June 6 – 29, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, June 6th; 8-11 PM

“I’m titling this new body of work Seasons Change. The underlying meaning is that nothing does (or should ever) remain the same. If change or growth doesn’t take place than it dies. People, places and ideas are constantly metamorphosing whether it’s in a positive direction or negative. I’ve experienced a great deal of growth in the last couple years and have experienced these changes with friends & family. To be alive and to truly experience life as it’s meant to be experienced I feel that people must always challenge themselves and evaluate their choices and how they affect people and their surroundings. This body of work represents a form of growth and / or change within each piece. I hope it inspires those who see it to challenge themselves and continue to move forward.” – Chris B. Murray

Chris B. Murray has enjoyed a successful exhibition history in the midwest. This is his first show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery.

 

Joel Nakamura
“Bento Box”

June 6 – 29, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, June 6th; 8-11 PM

Bento is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento holds rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. While readily available in convenience stores, bento shops, railway stations, and department stores, Japanese homemakers often spend time and energy on a carefully prepared lunch box for their spouse, child, or themselves.

Joel Nakamura‘s latest exhibition, Bento Box, is a tribute to his Japanese-American upbringing. He has chosen to elaborately arrange his Bento Boxes to incorporate popular characters from Japanese culture (Maneki-neko, Ultraman), anime (Power Puff Girls, Tetsujin 28-go), monster movies (Godzilla) and fusion comfort cuisine (Spam). His poly-ethnic influences inspire comparison to Gajin Fujita, but with a tendency toward Kyaraben in addition to Ukiyoe.

Joel Nakamura was included in our 25th Anniversary Show. He is a staple of the Santa Fe art scene. His last feature exhibition in Los Angeles was back in 2008, when he exhibited alongside Nathan Ota right here at La Luz de Jesus Gallery.

 

William Zdan
“Humors”

June 6 – 29, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, June 6th; 8-11 PM

Willian Zdan was raised in the manufacturing community of Detroit, and this has unquestionably influenced his world view. Classic techniques and religious iconography are stripped of their cliché and given new provocation. His most recent series, Humors, examines the longstanding connections between medicine, secular art and social defiance. The Humors (the preponderance of body fluids, respective organs, earth elements and corresponding human temperaments) are found in each of the paintings, along with bloodletting tools, leeches and other (now debunked and marginalized) medical conventions (like phrenology).

While still aiming to capture a sense of visual spirituality, the paintings in this series employ some of the trademark compositional elements used in religious paintings. Depictions of hovering, saintly human organs and tools of early medicine are transposed over an otherwise supernatural devotion. The panels, layered with oil stain, have been distressed with loose and primal gesture indicating age and nature. This is balanced against the tightly rendered paint application. The composition, like the theme, is in conflict.

“My hopes are that the viewer will become an unapologetic scientist of whatever they interpret from my work.” – William Zdan

 

Jasmine Worth
“Sacred Feminine”

June 6 – 29, 2014
Artist Reception: Friday, June 6th; 8-11 PM

In Jasmine Worth‘s latest series, Sacred Feminine, she brings together Goddesses, saints, and mythology to fully explore the ever-changing role of the feminine in spirituality. This series is intended to invite the viewer to explore their own relationship with the many aspects of the divine. Her paintings are a cabaret of vibrant hues that blend soft textures and colorful characters–often against gloomy themes, but she’s not afraid to reverse and contrast those relationships for the sake of composition. Whatever the ratio, the results are the same: beautiful and thoughtful manifestations of strong individuality.

Jasmine earned her BFA at Laguna College and now lives in San Diego. She has featured several times at La Luz de Jesus, where she’s presented a nearly unprecedented four consecutive sold out shows.

Contact Gallery Director Matthew Gardocki for purchase info:
info@laluzdejesus.com  (323)666-7667