A new show at the Topanga Canyon Gallery asks visitors to spend some time with the art and weigh their own perceptions of what they see and what it means. “Contemplation: Art for Thought” features the work of mulit-media impressionist Rea Nagel and photographer Patrick Ramsey. The work is an invitation for reflection about vision, meaning and the world around us. The show runs from March 1 through March 19, with an opening reception Sunday, March 5, from 11 a.m. – 3p.m.
Rea’s vibrant work is a result of using watercolors, acrylics, collage and other mixed media to transfer her vision onto paper. She is guided by an emotional reaction to an image in the world around her which his evident in viewing her work. She taught art for 25 years and has been a professional artist for another 20. Rea has won a number of awards for her work, including several Best of Show awards.
Patrick’s most common subjects are people we would normally never see or, if we did, would not notice. He is able to “catch” them in the act of being who they are, creating a narrative through his lens that each viewer is invited to interpret. He also captures images that suggest possibilities and use the intersection of light, colors and shapes to create emotion and ask questions. Patrick has been a photographer most of his adult life and exhibits across the country.
Both Rea and Patrick have been active in social and political movements their entire lives. Rea has worked in presidential campaigns for 50 years and in the Brady Campaign for the last 17. Patrick started working in the civil rights struggles after the Vietnam War and has been an activist ever since.
Both artists’ work is informed by this world view. The work being shown in “Contemplation: Art for Thought” has been selected to ask viewers to think about their own world view and how it impacts how they interpret what they see and how they see it.
Topanga Canyon Gallery is located at 120 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Pine Tree Circle,
Topanga, CA 90290. For more information: Topangacanyongallery.com; (310) 455-7909
New Hours: Wed, Thursday, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday 12-8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.