Meet Tim Garcia & Margo Ray, 2009 Solo Artist Exhibition Artists

On Friday, August 21st the Hui will present complete new bodies of work by two incredible Hawaii-based artists during it's 2009 Solo Artist Exhibition.

Tim Garcia's "Oval Explorations" utilizes a multitude of different stone, wood, and metal to explore the oval form in unconventional, as well as more traditional mediums. "The oval is a form I find myself drawn to again and again in my work. Whether perfectly round, or a little off-centered in the interior or exterior of a form, the softness and sensuality draws me in." says Tim. The focus of the exhibit is a large wall installation of curved and cut wood. Tim has also explored the oval utilizing printmaking, caste bronze seedpods, and a couple of surprises to be unveiled at the show.

Margo Ray will present "Postcards, Snapshots and Collected Lamentations." These mixed media collages are pages from sketch books that I make on an ongoing basis as part of my studio practice. I collect postcards, tourist memorabilia, photographs, playing cards and magazine pages. My process is fast, intuitive, random and excessive and represents artistic responses to my experience of the world. My notebooks reflect the contradictions that I feel in my life and the world around me. Margo says about her work, "The art I am presenting is very personal and intimate on a certain level, almost like going through someone' s diary".

Recently we had a chance to sit down with the artists and get to know a bit more about their inspiration, processes ad intentions.

Why do you do what you do? What is the purpose?

MR: Creating art is, to me, a public service; it provides a connection to and reflection of humanity. I create not necessarily for the greater good but as part of a larger point in life. I can't imagine not doing this.

TG: I do what I do…because my head would explode otherwise! My art is my way of expressing my reflections of life, being, society, where I am immediately and how it relates to what I want to do for the community.

What connections do you strive to convey between your work and the community?

MR: I strive to convey a message of accessibility in my work, which I believe strengthens my connection with those viewing, or participating in it. My media consists of everyday objects, old photographs, textures and found materials transformed into dynamic pieces that speak to the seer in different ways. My technique is completely transparent, which allows people inside of the process and, I hope, inspires a community dialogue.

TG: My aim is to spur a social and political commentary, to evoke beauty, to rouse discussion amongst people with a preexisting connection, whether it be the physical community or their love of the arts. I want to convey that art is something we all deserve- it's not an American ideal, but a world ideal.

What is the contrast between the intent of your work and the perception of your work?

MR: I find that my work embraces an unconscious influence of place; the colors, plant life, textures and diversity of Hawaii are all major factors in the plan. When I exhibit outside of Hawaii, in Canada for example, these features seem to be quite striking to the looker, especially in terms of color, yet once they learn where I'm from they seem to get it. I've met people that have visited the islands and then come back to me saying "ah ha."

TG: I'm a very tactile person; I want people to touch my work- I truly value that bond between my art and the seer. I find this to be very surprising to people as they are accustomed to a slap on the wrist for getting anywhere within 3 feet of a work of art, especially a sculpture. I'm tackling this contrast by attempting to break down barriers. I want the perception to be one of approachability and participation, not simply looking.

Tell me about a surprising comment or reaction your work has created?

MR: Again, it goes back to the perception of my work as being very much out of place or built out of scale. As a result my work has begun to develop an increasingly reactionary style. I find myself more aware of the colors and values emitted, although not a literal description of Hawaii, but very much an acknowledgement of it.

TG: I created a mother & child piece some time ago, each fitting into the other in a reverse, circular style that I was so pleased with aesthetically. As people came to see it on exhibit it was causing a chuckle, soon to be revealed to me an unconscious result of the giant "69" it was depicting. I can't look at that piece now without thinking it. My 69 piece. (Laughs).

Learn more about this and other upcoming Hui No`eau exhibitions at www.huinoeau.com

*Portraits by Doug Bowser, Hui Teaching Artist