Through the eyes of a tree, the center of a knot, or the intuition by their branches, music can be heard within the soul or the trunk of a magnificent being. Trees are just as remarkable and even more so than we give them credit for, and they remind me of some of the music I listen to, all individually talented with a melody heard. This exhibit is a mixture of trees and music artists from Marilyn Monroe to Jim Morrison. Two of my favorite things in this life of mine are those of branches and lyrics and somehow are lyrically growing, day by day and throughout history. Like trees, musically talented artists are never forgotten.

On exhibit from December 2, 2021 to January 3, 2022

Artist – Skye Amber Sweet

Artist Statement:

On my father’s side, I am a descendant of enslaved people, and on my mother’s side, I am a descendant of European immigrants. Memories, dreams, self-love, healing, and history have all played a part in making this current collection come to fruition.

I could not paint for the entirety of 2020. I was in a dark spot. So, it took time to formulate my thoughts after so many years of trauma both witnessed and personally experienced. This is partly because I am a perfectionist, and as many have pointed out to me over the years, it can be a crippling disposition. With that in mind, I decided to get free of it and just paint because no matter how hard I try, I will never get it perfect— not an idea, not life, not anything, so I just painted. This show is an attempt to express me and hopefully, by doing so, something will resonate in others because I know I am not alone in my pain. I know I am not alone in my desire to heal through love and self-reflection.

(What you are seeing is an excerpt of work from my original solo exhibition called “New Eyes.”  The original show consisted of over 40 paintings— many of which have since been sold. To view the entire portfolio please visit sarahlouisewilson.com or my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/SarahartstoreUS ).

Come and enjoy a Live Art Installation with artist Chiho Harazaki at the Town Center Art Space at Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall. From 11am to 8pm on October 26 and 27, Harazaki will be installing her newest tape art exhibition ‘Tradition in Contemporary Art.’

Chiho Harazaki was born and raised in the countryside of Japan. She spent every summer of her childhood with her sculptor uncle at his studio in the mountains. His lifestyle and approach to art were big influences on her. After moving to the U.S. and discovering tape art in college, Chiho became fascinated with using various kinds of adhesive tape for her art. Tiny pieces of tape, cut by precision knife and scissors compose a whole picture and create works that have not only the feeling of modern graphic illustration but also of traditional arts like woodcut and paper cutting.

For this exhibition, Chiho drew a crane among pines with adhesive tape, based on the design of traditional Japanese playing cards called Hanafuda, or “flower cards.” A Hanafuda card deck is comprised of 48 cards, including 12 suits, each representing a month of the year with imagery that often includes animals, insects, the moon or other nature imagery, as well as a seasonal flower or other seasonal plant.

The red-crowned crane, a red sun, and pines represent January. Both pine and crane are symbols of long life and good luck in Asia. The pine tree stays green and alive no matter how cold the winter is. Red-crowned cranes are sacred birds and are symbols of marital harmony.

After embracing life in the United States, Chiho re-evaluated the culture in which she had grown up, becoming passionate about sharing it through her art. Using the unique medium of tape, she combines elements of Japanese tradition with contemporary art in order to share across cultures and generations.

To see more of Chiho’s work visit: chihoharazaki.com

Pulp Idols is a series of seven new mixed media works on wood produced by Sya Warfield over the past year. In this turbulent time, Warfield has chosen to create portraits of key figures who have effected change within our societies and cultural lives. Controversial 1980s artist Keith Haring, pictured with one of his own designs on this t-shirt, is joined by Andy Warhol, heavy bangs across his eyes and a constellation of stars applied to his shoulders. Their tentative, watchful expressions are counterbalanced by the intense stare of the revolutionary pointer Frida Kahlo. Performing icon Marilyn Monroe is also present, a woman whose carefully constructed public persona has been captured many times. All are synonymous with the monumental discussions of their particular eras around sexuality, power, equality, indigeneity, celebrity culture and consumerism. They are joined by a woman intrinsically tied to global politics, Malala Yousafzai, who was gravely injured in an assassination attempt in 2012, targeted by the Taliban for blogging about the experience of education in Pakistan under their regime. She chose to speak up, using her own story to help others. Warfield revisits iconic images of these individuals, using a range of techniques and materials to allow the essence of the subject to sing through. Each work utilizes a photographic pulp transfer process combined with water-based pigment inks, acrylic inks, crackle paste medium, metal leaf, vintage newsprint and spray paint. Influenced by the Japanese notion of Wabi Sabi, deliberate imperfection, the faces are surrounded by an aura of vibrancy and layered texture. Overall, the series invites viewers to reflect on the complexity of life, the passing of time and the ongoing ripples of influence we experience and can exert positively in the world.

Sya Warfield is an artist, filmmaker and photographer who lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

This year she has worked on public commissions with Del Rey Utility Box Project, Let’s Paint Sherman Oaks, NoHo Utitity Box Program and Be the Change in Hollywood. Other recent projects include Beyond the Box in Glendale; Arts Bridging the Gap in Hollywood; Let’s Paint the Town in LA and Studio City; and Colours of Freedom Mural in Inglewood.

This collection of artwork exhibits that artistic depictions of the following cultural holidays celebrations and traditions: Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas (Santa), Lunar New Year, Dia de Los Muertos, and Ramadan. Each artist uniquely displays the different ways culture celebrate holidays that fall between November 1 and January 7. Walk through the exhibit to learn more about these traditions. This exhibit is in conjunction with Newhall Community Center’s holiday programming.

Exhibiting artists: Azul Rivera, Bahram Kafai, Carlos Batchelor, Fernando Martinez, Georgette Arison, Jiayuan Li, Kayla Johnson, Laura Hunt, Margaret Raab, Marisol De Las Casas, Tony Hanna.

The City of Santa Clarita welcomes the newest art exhibit, “Follow Your Art,” at the First Floor Gallery of Santa Clarita City Hall (23920 Valencia Boulevard). The art exhibit will be displayed at City Hall from October 4 through December 3. It may also be viewed virtually by visiting https://bit.ly/3ARAjrG.

Join the City for an evening to discuss the featured artwork and get to know the artists behind the unique pieces on October 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at First Floor Gallery. Enjoy light refreshments and live music as you stroll through the gallery.

As technology has strayed away from the use of maps, artists have found exciting ways to keep the use of a map alive. “Follow Your Art” showcases the use of a physical map to create original artwork ranging from large portraits to small collages and 3-dimensional pieces. The group show consists of 17 talented artists and 40 one-of-a-kind paintings.

Featured mixed-media artist Nancy Goodman Lawrence, is showcasing nine pieces from her collection. Each piece provides a unique look into the artist’s techniques in creating works with maps. Lawrence was inspired to create her featured work after coming across a box maps.  Portraits and concentric narratives can be seen in this exhibit. To see more of Lawrence’s work, visit www.nancygoodmanlawrence.com.