“Tapping into Spirit”

On View: March 25th - April 20th

Reception: March 28th, 6-9pm

Featuring work by Martha Danek, Jude Lobe, and Jason Smith

Artists Jason Smith, Jude Lobe, and Martha Danek will be exhibiting recent works in their upcoming show, “Tapping Into Spirit,” which will be on display at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts from March 25th until April 20th . The opening reception will be on Friday, March 28th from 6:00-9:00 pm.

Metal sculptor Jason Smith has created a variety of large and small-scale sculptures for this show. Smith combines found objects with metal that he has cut, welded, and forged, to create sculptures of great balance, strength, and beauty. Smith writes, “As an artist, I am driven by the belief that spirit resides in the overlooked and the ordinary. My work is a journey of transformation, where I take found objects—discarded fragments of the world—and reforge them into metal sculptures that embody tranquility and mindfulness.” Smith sees his sculptures as “invitations to pause, to breathe, and to find harmony in the interplay of strength and softness, chaos and calm.”

Jude Lobe is an artist who enjoys working with many different types of media, and she will be exhibiting both sculptures and paintings in this show. Lobe writes that her new collection presents “an expression of the Native American philosophy of interconnectedness, balance, and respect for nature, manifesting in both my totemic sculptures and my endangered landscapes.” Her totems are intended to bridge the ancient and the contemporary, serving “as both a narrative and a conversation” through the use of bold expression and thoughtfully crafted details. Lobe’s endangered landscape paintings are done in the minimalist style, allowing the viewers “to infuse their own emotions into the landscape.” She hopes that they will serve a dual purpose of encouraging the viewers to consider the interconnectedness of all things while reminding us to respect the fragile balance we share with our surroundings.

Martha Danek’s painted gourd sculptures and mixed-media assemblages are inspired by an awareness of details, both in nature and in the everyday items from our lives. Danek writes, “This show has come along at a time when I’m thinking a lot about spirit—about what is important in life, and how to notice the meaningful moments that we encounter every day. I have tried to express these heartfelt observations while making the pieces for this show, with the result that these are some of the most personal pieces of art that I’ve ever made. I looked back at the meanings assigned to flowers during Victorian times, as well as the symbolism that many cultures have connected to animals, for inspiration in creating this collection of gourd sculptures. I believe that there are messages of inspiration all around us, and that our lives are enriched when we allow ourselves to notice them.” Her mixed-media wall sculptures incorporate found objects, such as old washboards or pieces of barn wood to create sculptures that reflect different aspects of contemporary life. The found objects themselves are already filled with history and potential symbolism; Danek enjoys marrying these objects with small paintings and sculptures of her own making, creating assemblages that nod to the past while representing life today.

The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts is owned and operated by 21 local artists and represents these established artists exhibiting contemporary fine art and fine craft. The Gallery’s offerings include oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, jewelry, glass, gourd sculpture, scratchboard, and handcrafted furniture.