SLATE Contemporary Plans “GATHER,” an Exhibition at the Gallery at the Werkshack, for Summer 2021
GATHER brings together the work of three very different painters working in Oakland in 2021: Kaya Fortune, who uses figuration and symbolism to bring history and narrative into his work; Eric Bohr, who meticulously renders hard-edge abstractions; and Jimi Evins, who takes an Abstract Expressionist approach. “SLATE’S exhibition programming is historically based on grouping artists whose work is similar enough to create dialogues, but different enough to stand on its own. This show will be no exception.” explains Danielle Fox, one of the gallery’s two Directors. “We look forward to highlighting common ground through color and form, while also using contrast between styles to emphasize what is unique to each artist.”
While GATHER refers to SLATE’s ‘gathering' of these three artists together for a show, the theme extends to the artists’ process as well. Artists are always ‘gathering’ ideas, inspirations, and materials from diverse sources. Kaya Fortune’s paintings, for example, bring together symbols from around the world (including Africa, New Orleans, and Oakland), while also bringing the past and present together to weave stories about black history and culture. Eric Bohr takes a more formal approach, searching through–and then cutting up–pages from art magazines to create small collages that are then translated into large format acrylic paintings. Jimi Evins gathers inspiration from his personal history, emotional experiences, and his artistic mentors to create evocative gestural oil paintings.
GATHER will be on view in two locations on 25th Street in Oakland this summer:
Gallery At the Werkshack at 481 25th Street SLATE’s Hall Gallery, three doors down at 473 25th Street.
