Luminous | Marcio Diaz & Elaine Hanowell

LUMINOUS marcio dĂ­az & elaine hanowell December 7, 2017 - January 20, 2018

contemporary international art 512 1st Avenue South | Seattle, WA 98104 206.839.0377 | www.artxchange.org

ABOUT ARTXCHANGE GALLERY ArtXchange Gallery is a contemporary intercultural art gallery that inspires cultural exploration, the expansion of global community and the exchange of ideas through art. We exhibit art from around the world that reflects the diversity of influences shaping the Seattle community and contemporary global culture.

Two iconic regional artists illuminate the darkness this winter at ArtXchange Gallery. Marcio Díaz, known for his signature Bubblism painting style, and Elaine Hanowell, creator of the much beloved lighted fish at the Dahlia Lounge, present new work in Luminous.

Through painting and sculpture, Díaz and Hanowell have developed personal techniques to express their fascination with the phenomenon of light. From Díaz’s interest in physics and the manifestation of light to Hanowell’s skill with shaping light through layers of different media, Luminous showcases two different approaches with vibrant results.

Marcio Díaz, The Barn in Autumn, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60 in., $4,900

Marcio Díaz, Cherry Trees in the Spring, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio DĂ­az, Fall Remembrances, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio DĂ­az, Fertility of the Spring, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio Díaz, In the Forest, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio DĂ­az, Harvesting, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 24 in., $1,100

Marcio Díaz, Colors of the Land, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60 in., $4,900

After moving from his home in Estelí, Nicaragua, Marcio Díaz was inspired by the depth of color he saw in the rain-soaked landscape of the Northwest. Viewing the world through drops of rain, Díaz was interested in light and how it changed according to various natural phenomena. Blending his interest in classical art history with his investigations into modern physics, Díaz developed his Bubblism style as a visual manifestation of the fundamental interconnectedness of the world. In Luminous, Díaz presents new paintings that showcase the abstract potential of Bubblism, as clouds of color shift and dance across his canvases.

Marcio DĂ­az, Best Friends, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 20 in., $900

Marcio Díaz, Morning Light, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio DĂ­az, Mother and Daughter, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in., $2,100

Marcio Díaz, Sunlight on the Trees, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 in., $900

Marcio DĂ­az, Sisters, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 inches, $2,100

During my childhood in Nicaragua, I contemplated the ways that love was expressed through color and paint on ‘Dia de los Difuntos,’ as people bring colorful flowers and decorate sacred places with bright pigments to honor their loved ones who have passed. The color transmits a sense of life and vibrancy with the plants and touches of nature. You could almost taste the combination of melancholy, greatness, respect and remembrances of the family’s loved ones.

In Bubblism, the circles represent the organic - cycles of life and of our beings, systems and cultures. To me, everything has a life cycle.

There is no straight line in the universe. Everything is built through curves; lines become circles, ellipses and spirals. And everything is connected. We live in the Universe and we ourselves are universes, interacting with each other and forces in our environments like a net of bubbles connecting to each other. Everybody is part of a whole system, growing and changing in their own cycles.

My work has continued to change as it builds through the accumulation of experiences in my life and observing the manifestations of nature in life and society. It encompasses my interest in natural phenomena, from the nature of light and the organic structure of rain, to the dynamics of human history. My work comes from my unconscious self and emotions – and by now, I can say I am a lover of life. I am growing to understand the meaning of art in my life, as well as the meaning of my work in lives of other art lovers, which makes the Bubblism vision grow even larger. Bubblism has become something worthy of dedicating my life to exploring.

MARCIO DIAZ

detail of Spirit of Fall II, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in., $3,300

Marcio Díaz, On a Walk, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30 in., $1,100

Elaine Hanowell is a Pacific Northwest native whose work reflects the love of nature and wilderness. Her sculptures are infused with the colors, textures and techniques drawn from her global travels. Working primarily in wood and paper, her work is influenced by extensive study and travel in Asia, honing her skills by using traditional materials and tools.

Always looking for new materials to incorporate into the work, Hanowell finds unusual, hand-made inspirations during her travels. Some of her favorites have come from Thailand and Laos, where people make paper along the Mekong river.

Hanowell also carves linoleum stamps and creates her own elements to mix into the layers of her work.

Precious bits of gold leaf gathered from her travels and other beautiful ephemera are also incorporated into the pieces, layer by layer. Each lighted sculpture is the result of many weeks of patient layering and experimentation.

Gingko Sand Spirit House Lantern, handmade paper, gingko leaves, bamboo, 27 x 9 x 7.5 inches, $1,800

Gingko Water Spirit House Lantern, handmade paper, gingko leaves, bamboo, 27 x 9 x 7.5 inches, $1,800

Ruby Koi Chandelier, handmade paper, bamboo, 16 x 31 x 10 inches, $1,200

Last spring I had the opportunity to travel in Vietnam. Amongst the many impressions, I kept noticing the “Spirit Houses�. Normally in the form of a miniature house or temple, these spirit houses are dedicated structures to the protective spirit of a place. What I found intriguing was the personalized touch of different constructions and imagining the daily offerings as a way to slow down and connect with the present moment. Using this inspiration, I made the Spirit House lantern. I gave it an elongated shape, a way to present a feeling of quiet movement.

The materials used in the lighted sculptures are enriching for me.

While in Vietnam I bought handmade paper in different markets.

Some of these papers have been used in the lanterns. When making the work for this exhibition, I was surprised when ginkgo leaves fell out of an antique Japanese book. These also became part of the lighted pieces. Connecting to the hands of others give me a deep satisfaction and sense of mystery which I try to impart in this work.

ELAINE HANOWELL

Saffron Turquoise Cloud Koi Chandelier, handmade paper, bamboo, 16 x 31 x 10 inches, $1,200

Ink Joy Koi Chandelier, handmade paper, bamboo, 16 x 31 x 10 inches, $1,200

L: Night Salmon, handmade paper, bamboo, slate base, 11 x 26 in., $950 C: Peaceful Turtle Perch, handmade paper, bamboo, slate base, 11 x 26 in., $950 R: Pale Pink Perch with Bird, handmade paper, bamboo, slate base, 11 x 26 in., $950

L: Sunshine Salmon, handmade paper, bamboo, slate base, 11 x 26 in., $950 R: Calligraphy Candy Koi, handmade paper, bamboo, slate base, 11 x 26 in., $950

43

Elaine Hanowell, Black Stripe Mango Sconce, handmade paper, bamboo, 28 x 17 x 9 in., $950

Cora Edmonds GALLERY DIRECTOR Lauren Davis ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Clarissa Gines EXHIBITIONS MANAGER + DESIGNER

512 1st Avenue S. Seattle, WA 98104 206.839.0377 www.artxchange.org

Right: Sunlight on the Trees

© December 2017 No part of this publication may be reproduced without consent from ArtXchange Gallery and the artists.

Images courtesy of the artist and ArtXchange Gallery.

Catalog design: Clarissa Gines