Elements of Nature: Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation

Veronica Brovall, Wurzel-Füllung II (2007); Wade Hoefer, The Gold Coast (1986); Wade Hoefer, Poet’s Point (1986); Lance Winn, What? (2005); Tyler Vlahovich, Large Green Landscape (2001)

Edward Ruscha, Atmospheric Trash (1985); Charles Fine, Frozen Landscape III (1991); Ali Smith, Longscape (2009); Andy Moses, Transmutation of Space 103 (2007); Reed Danziger, Oscillation Point 703 (2006); Jimi Gleason, Vapor Pearl (2005); Gegam Kacherian, Above (2006)

Jimi Gleason, Vapor Pearl (2005); Gegam Kacherian, Above (2006); Dawn Dedeaux, Over Six Feet of Water (2008); Matthias Bitzer, Untitled (Ectoplasma Series) (2005)

Matthias Bitzer, Untitled (Ectoplasma Series) (2005); Vija Celmins, Untitled (Set of four) (1975)

Ernie Carlos, Growing Plate (2003); Elilio Perez, Do the Monkey II (2005); Neil Welliver, Abandoned Beaver House (1983)

Torben Giehler, Mont Blanc (2002); David Bates, Magnolia in a Vase (2001); Luisa Chase, All Fire All Flame (1983)

Mark Fox, Untitled (Trinity) (2008); Eric Freeman, LA (6) (2003); Neil Welliver, Abandoned Beaver House (1983)

David Bates, Magnolia in a Vase (Drawing) (2001); Karen Heagle, Lowtide at Rialto Beach 4 (Entangled Starfish) (2005); Frederick S. Wight, Palm Between Two Suns (1979)

Date:  March 14, 2010 – May 23, 2010

Curated By: Billie Milam Weisman
Venue: Carnegie Art Museum
424 South C Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030

Exhibited Artists:
Lita Albuquerque, Peter Alexander, Charles Arnoldi, James Bachman, David Bates, Billy Al Bengston, Matthias Bitzer, Veronica Brovall, Roger Brown, Fernanda Brunet, Huguette Caland, Ernie Carlos, Alberto Carneiro, Vija Celmins, Louisa Chase, Reed Danziger, Dawn Dedeaux, Lesley Dill, Peter Erskine, Tracy Felix, Charles Fine, Mark Fox, Eric Freeman, Torben Giehler, Jimi Gleason, Jack Goldstein, Joe Goode, Brandon Graving, Shane Guffogg, Karen Heagle, Todd Hebert, Wade Hoefer, Steve Hurd, Gegam Kacherian, Cheryl Laemmle, Cindy Loehr, Srdjan Loncar, Daniel Mason, Andy Moses, Emilio Perez, Aurora Robson, Thomas Rose, Ed Ruscha, Ali Smith, Timothy L. Solien, Barbara Takenaga, Ryozo Tsumaki, Tyler Vlahovich, Robert Warrens, Ben Weiner, Neil Welliver, Frederick S. Wight, Lance Winn, and Dustin Yellin.

Elements of Nature: Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation

The works in this exhibition reveal the ability of art to interpret, replicate, and reimagine the natural world. Some artists authentically depict the ephemeral beauty of the landscape, while others draw from nature to create their own fantasy environments.  By constructing works from natural materials such as tree branches, artists like Charles Arnoldi and James Bachman are able to convey their personal visions while paying homage to the intrinsic beauty of the wilderness. Others capture the elusive aspects of nature through more tangible mediums, as in Srdjan Loncar’s clouds or Cindy Loehr’s flower, which never deteriorate from environmental factors.

The exhibition investigates the ways in which man and nature interact. It demonstrates a range of approaches to the subject, from the degradation of the environment through pollution and the depletion of resources to the impact of natural disasters upon society. The splendors of untouched nature as well as its destructive powers are explored with equal reverence. While California artist Lita Albuquerque explores the spiritual aspects of the cosmos, Louisiana artist Dawn Dedeaux takes inspiration from her immediate environment by exploring how severe atmospheric conditions have impacted New Orleans.

This international collection of artists explores diverse aspects of the natural environment, inspired by personal experiences as well as universal concepts. While the exhibition brings together perspectives from many areas of the world, such as Japan and Germany, a number of Southern California artists are represented by responding to their regional environment. The unique landscape, climate and culture of Los Angeles have continued to inspire the work of Joe Goode and Ed Ruscha.

The works in this exhibition awaken an awareness of nature in everyday life. From images of vast landscapes to simple piles of leaves, each composition explores an aspect of the environment that allows greater insight into the complex relationship between man and nature. Viewing the world through the unique perspective of the artist, it is possible to explore the power and beauty of the environment and rethink our relationship to it.