New show opening at The Barn Gallery starting March 9

Carlos Guerrero

Mar 4

Identity, feminism, and the environment are some of the themes explored by nine women artists exhibiting in the new Barn Gallery show, Flesh and Frame: Human Figurative Art – Selections from Transmission Gallery Oakland. The show opens Thursday, March 9, at YoloArts' Barn Gallery in Woodland, located at 512 Gibson Road.

Flesh and Frame: Human Figurative Art is curated in partnership with Transmission Gallery in Oakland by executive director Ruth Santee and manager TaVee McAllister Lee, both artists with works in the show. This exhibition explores works incorporating the human likeness. Sexism and equality, spirituality, and body image are all threads running through the fabric of this exhibition.

The artists featured in the show are Tamera Avery, Marsha Balian, Christine Ferrouge, Betsy Kluga, TaVee McAllister Lee, Suzanne Long, Ruth Santee, Livia Stein, and Lynn Beldner of Woodland. The exhibit artworks include ceramics, painting, collage, installation art, sculpture, fiber art, and mixed media.

"This exhibit, timed for Women's History Month, showcases an exciting variety of media and themes that women, and everyone, can relate to and enjoy – from childhood memories to the role of gender, and inspirations from the natural world," said Janice Purnell, YoloArts creative director.

Dear John, An Open Letter to 2020, clay, nichrome wire, engobe, cold wax artist Suzanne Long. (Courtesy)

"The human form has been a popular subject matter in art dating back 14,000 years," Santee stated. "The body and its proportions have inspired artists throughout human history. Why? Is it only because humans are obsessed with recreating our own likeness? Probably, but there is much to be gleaned from art of the human figure. Such art helps us understand aspects of our identity and existence through storytelling and observation. The human form can make us feel empathy, humor, and a renewed sense of self. We also learn about the artists' religious beliefs and cultural awareness. In many ways figuration in art provides us with a road map to our futures."

The artists will attend the opening reception, Thursday, March 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Music will be performed by Mike Bender and light refreshments will be available. In addition, an artist talk is planned for 6:30/6:45 p.m. featuring Santee and exhibiting artists.