Going Underground
4th Annual Juried Competition / Exhibition : Curated by: Pet Silvia

Curator's Statement

It's hard to choose who gets in and who doesn't. This is our fourth year, and though I've had some input in the past with other curators, this one I've taken on alone from the beginning. Here I offer to you 51 works by 45 artists.

There's not much sculpture, or photography in this year. I've made it a point to not just pick works representing all the particular styles or sub-genres. I look for a certain originality and a quirkiness, and in terms of photography, sculpture, and also printmaking, I've hit the mark with these. I must point out that Eric Paulson, who has two beautiful photographic transfers on canvas here, died tragically the night he emailed his submission to us. I had already selected his works for the show before being contacted by his mother, Catherine, a week later. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

With painting, there were some hard decisions made. There is just a lot of high quality work out there. There were many not chosen only because of their size. We only have so much space, and even with this show, I'm left feeling a bit taxed in the hanging. The various subjects, techniques, styles and materials used are also quite remarkable, and so I salute these artists for that. The Art world, (with a capital A), has declared painting as being dead so many times, that they have become victims of their own redundancy. Painting is not dead. The reinvention of new styles, new subjects and new ways of conveying the pictorial message has just been forgotten by the pedestrians who run the game of art, not the art itself. The artists presented here are more influenced by the great masters of antiquity, not just the trends of the last forty years. I'd also like to point out the painter, Cholla, who is a Mustang Quarter Horse, certainly a first for us, and a refreshing addition to the show.

The works of "The Unknown Conceptualist", (as I have aptly named), came in a box that was all but crushed. The note attached to the actual original works, states, "I do not wish to have them back. Please sell them. Thank you." The 3 chalk works on canvas board are duct-taped together, and I have not peeked to see them, nor did I deposit the submission fee check. So I figured this would be the comedy-relief for this exhibition, as conceptual art always is. I wonder if this person even realizes they're in the show?

Most importantly though, is that these artists made it in this show. They represent the upcoming newest of the new in the ranks. All struggling to achieve a higher ground for themselves, and for all of our enjoyment. They all possess the fine qualities inherent in good art, and I beg for anyone to disagree with that. I am grateful to have acquainted myself with all of their works, each and every one of them. Most certainly Eric Paulson, Cholla and even the comedian.

Pet Silvia