The Seriousness of Purpose

“Artistic temperament sometimes seems a battleground, a dark angel of destruction and a bright angel of creativity wrestling.” Madeleine L’Engle

The Seriousness of Purpose

A new, multi-artist exhibit opens in the Elaine Jacob Foyer opens February 10. “The Seriousness of Purpose” presents the works of Sarah Alice Britton, Jeweler, Ling-Yen Jones, Jewelry, Richard Kennedy, Sculptor, Ann Langston, Painter and Anthony Rees, Sculptor. The exhibit will include an opening reception from 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. This exhibit was inspired in part by the late American writer Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007) known for, among other works, 1962’s “A Wrinkle In Time”.

An award-winning artist, Ann Langston has been painting and exhibiting her art for more than 40 years. “I work in both oils and watercolors and illustrated a nationally distributed calendar for many years. Travel, combined with my passion for art, continually expands my vision and inspires my painting. Returning to my studio, with sketchbook and photos in hand, I recreate the excitement of my adventures on paper and canvas. Capturing the essence of a scene, in both expansive and intimate settings, is my ultimate goal.”

Richard Kennedy is a 38-year resident of the coast, originally from Ohio by way of the Air Force. “I’ve created and engineered everything from birdhouses to box cars. I’ve built houses, custom cars, furniture, bridges, installed septic systems, made signs and sidewalk. Being diagnosed at an early age with a short attention span, I amassed quite a diverse list of skills and knowledge. I am one who challenged by new projects and found objects. Whether I’m building a rock and steel balancing sculpture or driving my racing kart on two wheels doing a stunt driving show, my aim is to explore my own skills and entertain. If it makes you think, and wonder. WHAT ? HOW ? REALLY ?”

All of Sarah Alice Britton’s work is created by hand. For Britton, creative work should be unencumbered but focused. As she told the “Times-Herald“, “Everyday here, I feel like it”s my first day of kindergarten. I remember as a child, feeling so tiny but being so excited. It is the up and down of that moment that I hope I never lose, because that is the energy I channel back into my work.” Her work is all crafted with her hands, using sterling silver, gold, copper and pearls. Whatever metal she doesn’t use is melted in a crucible and reused.

Anthony (Ants) Red studied graphic arts in Newport, Wales, has lived on this coast since 1976, and aside from designing many local signs, logos, T-shirts, and posters over the years he has focused on different media and forms of expression each decade.  Landscapes in black and white washes and then watercolor were inspired by life on the Mendocino coast, his homeland Wales, and megalithic stone sites around Britain.  Memorable and unique were his circular prints of Celtic inspired designs and his ‘Celtic Cutouts’.  His new creative expression materializes as these intriguingly designed and humorous sculptures.

Mendocino County jeweler Ling-Yen Jones works mainly in silver, semi-precious stones, and pearls. Her style ranges from the traditional to the modern, and is completely original, unique.  “All of my pieces are individually handmade, and are therefore one-of-a-kind or in small series with repeating motifs. I have curated and exhibited in several shows in the past.  I also have shown in Point Arena-CityArt, the Pacific Grove Art Center,  Gualala Art Center, and the Mendocino Art Center.” She and her work have been featured in various publications, including “Metalsmith,” the “Monterey Herald’s Life & Times” and others. 

As the curator for this exhibit, Jones adds “I respect and am inspired by the artist’s temperaments, and the products of their angels wrestling.  Sarah Alice Britton, Richard Kennedy, Ann Langston and Anthony Rees, Sculptor are four artists who have sparked me with their creative processes. I am inspired by the flow of process from idea to finished work. 

In exhibiting these works I enjoy the elegance of the paint, the fun of the jewelry the single mindedness of the aluminum sculpture, and the robust yet evocative nature of the steel sculptures. Each of these artists express ideas and esthetic through their very clear and well-defined marriage of technique and materials.

Making and creating and even reinventing their work as well as themselves.

We all continue this creative journey and make it what it is. The exhibit continues through March 5, 2023.