Works

Ortahisar I - 1
Silver print / wet plate collodion negative

Exhibition Details

Clark Gallery will host Julia Zanes’ allegorical paintings of an imagined, spirited place and Paul Taylor’s compelling photographs of Turkey's exotic landscapes through January 30th.  Although Zanes and Taylor approach their work from different perspectives and utilize disparate materials, the viewer cannot help but be moved by the imagery and light found in both bodies of work.  All are invited to join the artists for an opening reception on Saturday, January 10th from 4-6pm and for a puppet performance of Santa Lucia by the Bluebird Theater Company on Saturday, January 24th from 11am-12pm.

Finding inspiration in the histories of the Italian Renaissance, Indian art, Islamic art and architecture, and the myths and tales of cultures from throughout the world, Julia Zanes creates richly patterned paintings on panel that incorporate intricately collaged papers and photographic prints with rich glazes. A practiced use of color, texture, and enchanted imagery draw the viewer’s eyes across the saturated surfaces of her paintings.  Flowering trees bloom in verdant landscapes inhabited by birds, fish, sinewy female figures, and fluid rivers.  Hers is an imagined realm, but one to which we are drawn to consider themes surrounding nature, family, spirituality, and humanity.

Educated at the Art Institute of Chicago, Julia Zanes has exhibited her work throughout the New England region as well as in Canada, New Orleans, and Chicago.  Together with her husband, Donald Saaf, and their two sons, Zanes will perform the tale of Santa Lucia in the gallery on January 24th from 11am-12pm using marionettes, shadow puppets, and live music.  A performance based on the life and story of Saint Lucy, it will tell the tale of the martyr saint who ultimately brought light and cookies to the “midnight of the year.”

Paul Taylor captures the light, beauty, and storied history of Turkey in his Capadochia series of photographs. The photographs were produced during his extended visits to this mysterious region, known for its erosion-sculpted hills, dovecotes, villages and spiritual sanctuaries carved into stone cliffs. Trekking through the spectacular, surrealist landscape of rock caves, capped pinnacles, and fretted ravines with large format equipment and a portable darkroom, Taylor utilizes the arcane 19th century process of wet plate collodion. The resulting large-scale photographs printed in gelatin silver and polytoned, have the presence of vintage photographs and Luminist paintings, yet with a contemporary edge. Taylor’s creative investigation into this magical setting was generously supported by Prusoff International Travel Grants, Ortihasar, Turkey (2002, 2004, 2005), and The Eleanor Janeway Foundation Artists Grant Program.

Paul Taylor received his MFA from RISD. He owns Renaissance Press, a fine arts atelier, and has been long established as one of the finest practitioners of the photogravure and wet plate collodion processes. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States.