New and Continuing Shows

Everyone is invited to attend any of my up-coming and continuing shows in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz.

New SHOWS:

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"Moments" - Paolo C. Mejia solo show
@ Synergy
119 Walnut Ave.
Santa Cruz, Ca.

WHEN: March 2, 2012 - May 31, 2012

(Opening Reception from 6 - 9 pm)

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"Objectified" - PAOLO C. MEJIA solo art show
@ Caffe Union
1830 Union St.
San Francisco, Ca

WHEN: February 26, 2012 - March 30, 2012

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Continuing SHOWS:
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PAOLO C. MEJIA solo art show
@ Revolution Cafe
3248 22nd St.
San Francisco, Ca

WHEN: November 2011 - March 2012

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PAOLO C. MEJIA solo art show
@ The English Center
Jack London Square
66 Franklin St., Ste. 220
Oakland, Ca

WHEN: Continuous (By appointment) 

Convolution: 10

This particular art piece is part of a series called Convolution. It conveys several themes. One theme for the series deal with materialism or affects of globalism. Consumerism is the product of globalism which makes us materialistic. Consumerism makes us materialistic because of what is induced on us by society over time. This concept is what I am conveying in this series. Another theme this series is conveying is the idea of binary opposition. Binary opposition is an anthropological concept that deals with existence of opposites -- an idea that complements itself. In Buddhist belief the idea of binary opposition exists. Positive needs negative to exist. Therefore, it becomes balanced. In this visual piece, the achromatic colors of black and white is utilized. It connotes the idea of binary opposition. Another example of binary opposition that I come to use is the idea of attempting to make things simplified but it ultimately becomes complex. It becomes complex as I overlay images upon images. The result is a complex and dynamic abstract work. One other theme I am noting in this series is the idea of using recycled materials. The substrate the images are on are recycled papers that I have collected for more than a decade now. The recycled papers have writings and notes that connotes that idea of material collection over time. I incorporate imagery within imagery by taking pictures of trinkets and things that are in my desk  drawer and digitally print them on the recycled papers. Those trinkets and things are symbols of the idea of material continuum produced by consumerism. The overlays of images add to the abstractness of the piece. All-in-all, this piece conveys several themes that makes the series dynamic and interesting. 

 For more samples, click Convolution.

Paolo C.Mejia Artist and Designer my art lives at

Tsunami (Flow)

This art work is a 14 piece mixed media on wood panel (16 in actual). It depicts a dynamic flow of abstracted imagery jumbled up in a tsunami force-like impact. This piece also memorialize the event that took place in Japan.

The imagery were abstracted as layers of superimposed shapes are added by arbitrary and random selection. Individual panel pieces were first cut to size and then worked on as multiple layers were added. The work evolved as all 16 pieces start to collect layer by layer.

Composition was extremely important in denoting how it would look. In this picture, it was displayed in a long horizontal piece that connected individually. This piece can also be connected in a four row and column composition or a giant square, as it was originally made to be adjustable to different composition. But figuring out the right piece to go to certain position can be more complex than how it looks. Each piece connected somehow to complete another.

Cartographic-like drawing designs were lastly added to give more character and complexity to the dynamic flow of the piece. All-in-all, the piece resulted in a dynamic piece.

For more examples of this series of work called Convolution click below...

Cadence

In this particular sculpture, I focused on formalism of art. Using formalist idea I produced Cadence. I used repetition as part of the Elements and Principles of Art, and the idea of binary opposition, which is having the idea of complementing forces.

I used repetition to create the hanging pieces. Repetition has been an interest of mine and I have been using it amply in my works. It produces an interesting abstraction as one element was repeated. Then, I added a gradient texture on the surface of the hanging pieces to give it more character, pattern and interest. The texture also implied the idea of repetition to create a continuum and cohesive patterns. The pattern on the strips of metal was heavy on the bottom and gradated to the top. I added one corroding piece to displace the entirety of the repetition, creating the idea of a binary opposition. The displacement gave a different touch to the unison of the hanging pieces. However different in color and texture, the displacement of the piece completed an overall cohesive flow.

The idea of binary opposition was to show the complementing idea of elements and concept. In this case the natural weathering of the wood and of that one piece connoted a natural decaying idea, and its binary opposition of the galvanized metal showed a new manufactured pristine look.

The shadow became an integrated element that added dimension to the piece. I always take advantage of that natural element. That unexpected element was a good addition to the piece.


Detail of the sculpture:

The sculpture is made of wood and various metals. (Additional pictures: http://www.zhibit.org/paolomejia/cadence )