Photo New Mexico Juror Talk

This is a little past due... better late than never, right?






Mary Anne Redding discusses how and why she chose the photographs for Photo New Mexico 2011. With the names and titles set aside, Redding looked through over 100 photographs to choose from. Her initial reaction was to choose images that stood out visually from the rest. We asked that she choose one image per artist so the gallery could represent more artists. Redding had a difficult time with this as some of the images by the same photographer were so striking!



The photogravure, “Building Blocks of War”, by Diane Alire, won the juror’s choice award. Redding loved the political message, the exquisite printing, and the composition of the piece.


Building Blocks of War

There was a question about photogravure being considered photography or printmaking or both. Redding highly agreed that it is a photographic process because the artist starts from a photograph being printed in an alternative fashion. Photogravure is a printmaking process and many can see how a photograph translates into gravure just next door at New Grounds Print Workshop and Gallery!

Photo New Mexico 2011 exposes the best of photography in NM!

Like all gallery owners, I wish I had three times the wall space to exhibit all the great art that is made in New Mexico. I especially wish I had one room just dedicated to photography. But since I don’t have that kind of space, I can only show so much work at any given time. Photo NM gives me the opportunity to exhibit some wonderful photography by several different artists who I normally would not be able to accommodate.


Regina and Mary Ann Redding

But the toughest job went to the juror. Mary Anne Redding, curator of Photography at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe not only had to choose 25 images out of a gazillion entries, she also had to pick the “Juror’s Choice Award” which went to Diane Alire’s “Building Blocks of Wars.” She liked it because it was very timely and thought provoking. Congratulations, Diane!



Diane Alire


Diane and Regina


To our surprise, Mary Ann picked another favorite piece which we quickly coined as the “Juror’s Award of Merit.” It went to Jamie Sweeney for “Elena Waiting.” The quirky part about this is that Elena was our intern from April to May, and Jamie is her fiance!!!!



Although it was incredibly hot all evening despite of the air condition pumping as hard as it could, everybody stayed until the end to find out who received the coveted “People’s Choice Award.”





The award was taken home by Marie Maher for “Tomorrow’s Dream.” Marie could not believe it!



Marie Maher and her piece

There are some amazing pieces in this show with some artists having juried into it before, and some new faces.


Adrian Panaro





David Antreasian


Charles Palmer


George Gibson


David Hanson


Philip Augustin


Lee Chesney


Jo Antreasian


Tim Anderson


Sylvia Crain

If you like photography this is a show you don’t want to miss. If you are a photographer and would like to see your work included in this show next year, watch for the “call for entry” which will go out in January. Request to be on our mailing list, or check our website for the entry forms. www.matrixfineart.com.

Don’t miss the Juror’s talk on Saturday, July 23, from 1 – 2 PM. Mary Ann Redding is very approachable and very passionate about photography. The show will run through July 30.


Tanya Landin, gallery assistant, Pamela DiMauro, artist and volunteer, Molly Zimmer, intern, Regina Held, director

Photo New Mexico winners!

Diane Alire
Building Blocks of Wars
We had a great turnout for Photo NM last night! Diane Alire won the Jurors Choice Award for her piece "Building Blocks of War", Honorable Mention went to Jamie Sweeney for "Elena Waiting", and the People's Choice award went to Marie Maher for "Tomorrow's Dream". Congrats!


Jamie Sweeney
Elena Waiting


Marie Maher
Tomorrow's Dream

Please come hear the juror for this exhibition, Mary Anne Redding, discuss her selections, Saturday July 23rd from 1 to 2 pm.

Photo New Mexico 2011 is almost here!

Here is a preview of the show on our website! Visit Photo New Mexico online.

Local Treasure Leo Neufeld

Matrix artist, Leo Neufeld has been honored as "Local Treasure" by the AABA for his achievement as visual artist and his contributions to the Albuquerque community. Congratulations Leo!

For more information visit the Albuquerque Art Business Association website.


Leo Neufeld, Paradise, 36 x 44", Oil on Linenhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

David Koch’s newest pop art paintings!

David combines or layers disparate elements such as; a monochrome field of color, images and graphics. Many of his newest works are on two panels, wood panel and canvas next to each other with one placed higher than the other. The images are simplified to line that give the viewer enough information to visualize the whole image. The choice of images in his work may not always make sense visually however it may touch someone at an emotional or conceptual level. And what may make perfect sense to one person viewing the piece may not for someone else.

Stacy Hawkinson, fellow artist, and David Koch

Stacy Hawkinson, fellow artist, and David Koch






The opening on First Friday was a delight. It was wonderful to see many friends and family come over to support David’s new body of work. He also completed his "self portrait" series with this show. He has done many paintings of a piece of candy, with a pill of some sort, and a word on top. The “Self Portrait “ series
is a direct response to many personal issues that have evolved over time.
Here are two pieces titled, “Yes” and “Glad”








David has been busy painting and has work showing at the South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Check out the link for more information. http://www.cabq.gov/south-broadway-cultural-center/events/overlay-reconstructed-images

Laura Wacha’s 50th Birthday Gallery Opening and Celebration

In honor of Laura Wacha’s 50th birthday she exhibited 50 paintings and paper mache sculptures for her solo show. The painting most related to turning fifty is called, “So Long”. It represents moving on in life and saying goodbye to the past.



So Long


Laura Wacha

The paper mache sculptures were a big hit at the opening! They are colorful and seem to have personalities of their own. Here is Lynn Johnson, Artist, looking at “Target”.


Lynn Johnson and Target


Wall of characters


Laura’s Paper Mache


Egg Sucking Dog


Scissors from Above

The show was well attended. Laura is a mother of two and an art school teacher on top of being an artist. Here is her son.


Laura’s son


Laura and Clients



Laura greeting friend


Many thanks to Elena, intern, Anise, server, Sarah Hartshorne, volunteer and Matrix Artist and Jeff Simpson for taking the photographs! And to Kai for cleaning up the gallery! :)


Kai

Anise


Laura and Sarah Hartshorne