Opening night reception: Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 7-10 pm

The Avenue 50 Studio is proud to present a thematically charged exhibition of art by three Los Angeles artists: Pat Gomez, Karen Bonfigli, and Andrés Montoya. These intuitive observers of nature create a poetic journey reflecting our relationship to Earth, juxtaposing our contemporary world with one we’re in danger of losing. Three separate perspectives towards nature as lost, possible loss and salvation. Beauty, though, rather than apocalypse is being honored, holding on to the desire that humanity does not see itself separate from nature.

Pat Gomez believes that all living things have an energy force that we can choose to tap into and embrace, avoid, utilize or ignore. Drawn to nature on a spiritual level, she utilizes the process of art making to connect to these unseen forces. Pat imagines natural forces as icons, totems, or shields, in a way creating portraits of the elements to empower and give tribute.

Karen Bonfigli creates personal mythologies through the exploration of indigenous fauna and flora. She has created a site-specific narrative installation interpreting the iconography of the ancient bird, the Condor, and the Scrub Jay as the sower of future generations.

Andrés Montoya sees this time as dire, every minute we loose a part of nature and in some cases, with irreparable consequences. Will nature become just a memory? His skyscapes carry a message of personal connection within all of us to embrace, protect and preserve for future generations the wonder that nature as clouds carry through our fragile planet.

In a time of growing global awareness, we are now often reminded that humanity affects this biosphere we call home. It serves us all to take time to contemplate the footprint that we leave behind on planet earth.

Join us in a reflection of the natural world through mythology, spirit, and memory.

We will be partnering with the organization,
A Million Trees during our Second Saturday opening,
and giving away 1 gallon or 5 gallon crepe mytle or jacaranda trees.
Please consider taking home one or more trees to plant in your garden or give as gifts.

April 12 through May 4, 2008

Avenue 50 Studio hours:
Tue-Thurs 10:00-12:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-4:00 or by appointment