
*Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the gallery was closed March 18th. Please take a virtual tour below and enjoy the exhibit online.
March 7 - May 29, 2020
If you love whimsical art and animals, this exhibit featuring zany portraits and 3D pop-out paintings by Ana Nelson & Phil Dynan is for you. Chico Art Center recognizes longtime members and dedicated animal rescuers, rehabilitating over 400 animals in our region.
Reception: Saturday, March 7, 2-4 pm
Bring the kiddos to the daytime reception for sweet treats and pose with a cut out of a furry friend!
Contact Gallery Director, Cameron Kelly to purchase artwork ckelly@chicoartcenter.com, text/mobile (415) 823-4418
This exhibit is very unusual because it includes their new 3D, Reverse Perspective, painted sculptures they call “viewer interactive art”.
The concept behind the sculpture is the brainchild of London artist Patrick Hughes, well-known, world- wide for his amazing sculptures. Dynan and Nelson have been working with Hughes for the past three years and this will be the first time showing the sculptures in an exhibition. “The art has motion and also morphs as the viewer changes positions,” explains Dynan, “and the more the viewer gets into the art, the more they appear to be dancing. They want to figure out how it is done. They will twist sideways, jump up and down, walk back and forth and try to approach the art (which is a little disorienting).”
“But it is impossible to understand the concept completely. It is a combination of geometry, math, science and a little bit of magic. “ Dynan adds.
There are several videos on Youtube showing the work that Dynan and Nelson have done, but the artists both quickly point out that a video only gives a viewer a “feeling” for what the sculptures are like. Seeing them in person is the only way to get the full effect.
All of the art in the exhibit is related to the Rescue Center that the two artists have had for the past ten years. Portraits include goats, dogs, cats, cows, a donkey, a llama, chickens and other animals.
“People started dropping off animals at our art studio (rural) about eleven years ago”, Anastasia says, “at first it was just a few kittens, then goats, llamas, dogs, and, well, it just turned into a zoo.”
To support the animals (food and vet bills) the two artists started painting pictures of the animals. It proved to be very successful and popular and they expanded into selling notecards as well. There is a section within the exhibit where people can pick out a card or print with their favorite animal. Proceeds from the exhibit will go to the artists' Accidental Animal Rescue Center.
For more information about the artists, visit http://www.blueoaksarts.com/