The City of Santa Clarita announces “Body & Presence”, a new juried exhibition set to take place at the Canyon Country Community Center from September 12 through December 11, 2024. This exhibition invites the public to explore the profound relationship between the human body and its environment through a diverse range of artistic mediums.

Featured in the exhibition is Rachel Joobs Honey Pods, a pastel on canvas piece that intuitively explores the intersection of the natural world and the human form through organic shapes and curving lines reminiscent of growth patterns found in nature. Joob’s work feels both familiar and otherworldly, creating a dialogue on transformation and the fluidity of identity.

In addition to these works, the exhibition will showcase a multimedia piece by Chin Ning Liu titled Inborn Errors of Metabolism. This artwork, created using acrylic and resin on canvas, delves into the unsettling integration of non-biodegradable elements into the human body, a commentary on the evolution—or degeneration—of the female form in response to modern consumption. Liu’s work captures an uncanny juxtaposition of softness and unease, inviting viewers to consider the contradictions between foreign body sensations and collective consciousness.

Further deepening the exhibition’s exploration of corporeality, Sarah Machemehl presents a series of ceramic jars titled Embodied Jar 2 and Embodied Jar 5. These unglazed vessels symbolize the human body as a container of hidden depths and mysteries, with the addition of jewelry accentuating the narrative of personal identity and value. Machemehl’s ceramics invite contemplation on the significance of tangible existence and the importance of being present.

A highlight of the exhibition will be the reception on October 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., held during the 3rd Annual Business for Artists Conference. This event will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage with the artists and their works in an intimate setting. To attend the reception and conference, visitors must register online at www.santaclaritaarts.com.

“Body & Presence” offers a platform for artists to investigate the complex interactions between the body and its environment, presenting thought-provoking pieces that resonate with a wide audience. This exhibition is an exploration of the physical and metaphysical, prompting introspection on the nature of being and the spaces we occupy.