The idea for the next invitational exhibit, FACES, at Niza Knoll Gallery was sparked by recent images of immigrants and refugees—faces of all nationalities with myriad expressions—moving to the safety of other locations. The artwork of Nancy Enyart, Mark Friday, Gayla Lemke, Ellamaria Foley-Ray and gallerist Niza Knoll represents faces from serious to quirky using clay or other mixed media. The public is invited to view and purchase work during regular business hours Thursday-Sundays, 1-4 pm during the run of the show and during the following special events:
Friday, June 17, 5-8 pm – Opening Reception
Sunday, June 26, 11am-3pm – Sundays on Santa Fe Art Walk
Friday, July 1, 4-9 pm - First Friday Art Walk
Nancy Enyart’s hand-built ceramics are from her series of pieces, she created during the isolation of the pandemic and depict people with something on their minds, like a memory, a hope, a dream, a fantasy.
Mark Friday’s new imaginary friends made from found materials, came to life for this show. He was pleased to have “someone to talk to while working alone in the studio” and he says, “for the most part, they don’t talk back.”
Niza Knoll’s ceramic faces were inspired by photos of immigrants and refugees moving into different countries because of danger and war, each searching for freedom and a new life devoid of danger. Peoples of all colors and expressions moving toward freedom and safety. Over the years, Gayla Lemke has visited and re-visited using the face or head in her sculpture. She explains, “Just as we reveal our inner feelings through our facial expressions, the face provides an added element for expressing a particular emotion or feeling in a sculpture. Plus, it can just be an interesting surface to use as a canvas.”
Ellamaria Foley-Ray’s on-going clay mask series allows her to absorb and share embedded, sacred, and foundational stories with active listeners who hear with their heart. She sees faces as simply dynamic masks we wear as warm invitations to encourage others to come closer, neutral drapes that allow us to navigate life’s mundane tasks, or shields protecting us from traumatic trials and tribulations. Viewers who have a careful eye, however, will see that masks also reveal narratives which anchor us to unseen ancient and contemporary spiritual truths whose origin is communities of ancestors and unborn descendants.