CIRCULAR : virtual group show
Circular: virtual group show
Winter 2022-2023
This group show is as varied and unique as you might expect from a call for art on social media. With twenty-nine participating artists and 38 circular pieces, each circular artwork reflects the artist’s individual style and personal take on the round theme. The artworks were created by people of all ages, levels of experience and various disciplines. This virtual group show includes paintings, collage, sculpture, photography, and video art. My hope for this exhibit is that it reminds us art is open to everyone and encircles all of us, every day.
I appreciate all of the participants willingness to join my call for art, it was inspiring to see how each artist took this simple form and transformed it into powerful, thoughtful, beautiful pieces. Thank you!
The work is shown in the order they were received.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the artists’ work: please find them on social media, as listed, to inquire.
-Olivia Arrow, 2023
Cooksterz “Bear Claw Tones” @cooksterzgram (Instagram)
The browns and golds of the bear species, help bear watchers to identify and spot individuals, but here they all spilled out from the claw, in artful circled tones and a trio of frames.
Paula Ladin “My Place in Space”
This was a class project for Social Studies to illustrate the parts of our global address and how they relate to each other in terms of size. The teacher example shows the address of our school, but each student drew a picture of their house with their own address.
Paula Ladin “Summer Blooms”
Inverted calendula flowers and plantain leaves drying on a round plate to make salve.
Logan (age 5) “Red Stripes"
It's a tornado that's red and blue. It's my masterpiece.
Zach Bartz “Family Reunion” @ImZachBartz (Instagram)
Betsy Kirichenko “‘O’”de to thee Olympics” @mermaids_and_mailboxes (Instagram)
As part of an alphabet inspired swap, I used vintage postage to inspire a Winter “O”lympic themed art trading card, featuring the 5 circles in the Olympics logo in glitter. I grew up watching figure skating in the Olympics and am a mini-fan. I have always seen the Olympic emblem as one of peace and goodwill for all.
Bruce (age 7) “Circle”
Artist statement: It speaks for itself, Mom!
Amanda Murphyao “crabby & broken”
Collage from found pieces on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Mia “Cercles”
Discovering art in the home, doing housework, and in this case, dismantling a French press to clean out the filtration mesh and strainer plate. If only I liked coffee! I should make pastry to use the measurement guides on the board!
Wendie Bloxsom “Option #1, Option #2” @greenwendie (Instagram)
Acrylic and stain on 18” plywood circles
Centuries later, women are still viewed and labeled as the Madonna or the Whore. A lady on the streets, or a freak in the sheets? I like to experiment with fictional portraiture of nonfictional women. The circle format was fitting for these works, as circles are also symbols of the female
Laina Joy “Ripple (1)” @laina_joy_gallery_chicago (Instagram)
Acrylic and Ink on Canvas Paper 2022.
About the Piece: First in a new series of small works focusing on my own life cycles. The circles represent a ripple effect. Each overlapping, some even breaking open. The idea that life can change at any moment depending on the next drop.
Allison Lindahl “New Moon” @allisonlindahl (Instagram)
The piece was made with watercolor ink, India ink, watercolor paint and posca markers. I made this during a New Moon. I’ve always felt connected to new moons because I was born on one and I feel called to the witchy aspects of life.
Debbie Patiño "white america HELL”
Artist’s statement: I created this cathartic piece after Roe vs Wade was overturned. Children are the most vulnerable population on this earth, as this group of people is usually the most directly impacted by policy decisions and the group with the least amount of agency in these decisions. Ironically, this 'pro-life' policy does not do anything to protect the lives of existing children, only thrusts them into a world not prepared to care for them.
Justin Kreuter “Metacircle” @KreuterMD (Instagram)
All of the pieces of this collage were originally used to create image transfers. After arranging these on the paper, I noticed the circles and became interested in the relationship between them. Like a tarot card, this work has come to represent a general cycle that can be individualized by the viewer.
mim golub “landscape” @mimgolub (Instagram)
Years ago, I few from coast to coasts frequently. Flying over the Midwest and west, I’d see these circles Fascinating. I had no idea what they were. When I learned that they were crop irrigation circles, I was even more fascinated by them. Recently, I’ve been using GoogleEarth to look at them as I don’t travel cross country anymore. And ephemeral art suits me, like the ephemeral nature of the circles, so I use Layout app to create patterns.
Steve Juras Untitled @scjuras (Instagram)
Medium: Acrylic and graphite on paper
Steven Zapiain "Paper Moon" @stevensinstantgrahamcracker (Instagram)
Riley McCarthy “Through the Looking Glass” @rkm.snapshots (Instagram)
Riley McCarthy “Rock n’ roll” @rkm.snapshots (Instagram)
Celia “Until Spring” @surrealia__ (Instagram)
This used to be basil and parsley.
Ameera Pernebsati Lys “Ancestral Calling”
Photography 2022
Angela Garbot "Circle of Thought"
@angelagarbotphotography (everywhere) @photosbygarbot (twitter)
Finding one's way can be tricky. I walked this labyrinth a few times over a weekend of self-discovery. While the universe did not burst open and reveal itself, the intentional walking calmed my mind, allowing me to be more open to possibilities
Angela Garbot "Round and Round"
@angelagarbotphotography (everywhere) @photosbygarbot (twitter)
It's easy to observe nature from afar, see the "big picture." I love getting up close, close enough to see the textures, the endless patterns and things hidden underneath.
Angela Garbot "Sacred"
@angelagarbotphotography (everywhere) @photosbygarbot (twitter)
The Vatican has always been a source of endless wonder and neck-craning for me. I love this particular perspective as it blurs the edges of man made vs. the Divine.
Jelena Todorovich “Social Circles" @jelenatodorovich.art (Instagram)
I’m am drawn to organic shapes found in nature. All life comes from the circle or related to it, and I couldn’t resist joining this creative challenge. This may be my first piece painted in the round, but certainly not my last. It was so refreshing to switch the traditional shape of my painting surface.
Raina Cowan “Implantation”, circa 2008? 2009?
Media: Watercolor and watercolor pencils on watercolor paper
Raina Cowan untitled, 2020, various sizes
Cyanotypes on fabric, printed images on fabric, lace doily, embroidery hoops, found branch, copper metal hardware
This work hangs on the wall of my art therapy studio/office. Each of these circles speaks to some aspect of therapeutic process: ancestry/ inter-generational forces, reinvention of self (shedding of the skin as a metaphor), keys to self-discovery and creativity, growth etc etc.
Raina Cowan “Nest”, 2019, mixed media: burlap ribbon, prayer papers, raffia, cloth
I made this nest to provide a resting place for the cardinal I had made, using an aluminum foil and masking tape technique (attributed to Don Seiden, founding father of art therapy in Illinois). Don was a mensch and a mentor to me and multitudes of other art therapists and artists. His influence continues to this day and I wanted to honor him. Cardinals are often thought to represent spirits of the deceased. I keep this bird and nest in my studio/office as a way to remind me of Don and to feel his presence guide me in my work.
Magdalena Karlick “Within” @imaginalworld (Instagram)
This ink drawing explores boundaries and movement within. Circles within circles offers the comfort of layered holding. A gestational space, containing the next.
Elizabeth Ocean, "The (Candy) Jewel Thief" @elizabeth.ocean (Instagram)
2023, 13"x13", watercolor and gouache on tinted watercolor paper.
"A sugary silly piece that somehow perfectly expresses my feeling of endlessly trying to find sweetness and hope around me.”
Yvette Meltzer “TANGERINE CIRCLE" @yvettemaxine = IG Yvette Meltzer = FB
Seeing the tangerine so rich in color and form, both cushioned and sheltered within its soft green leaves inspired me to take the photo before tasting its honey sweetness. A thing of beauty in its natural form - a gift of nature.
Yvette Meltzer “Revolutionary” @yvettemaxine = IG Yvette Meltzer = FB
Photography continues to take me further than my eye can see and sometimes in unexpected directions. As Picasso said, "There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality." I believe that is what Revolutions does. I start with fabric in a dryer with a circular window
and in collaboration with my camera the concrete reality is transformed. I think of each image as a Rorschach as individuals’ perspectives informs their perceptions. I believe the circles capture the uniqueness of each of us as we evolve through life.
Olivia Arrow “The Void” (left) & “The Abyss” (right) @olivia.arrow.dhamee (Instagram)
Wood stool seats, wood burned and painted. These will become low meditation stools accompanied by sound art, they are works in progress. This duo are a response to the constant need to fill or scream into the void, going down unending rabbit holes, scrolling into infinity.
Pamela Maurer “a circle’s round” @babymoney4eva (Instagram)
Anne Heisler untitled 1 @buttrbelle (Instagram)
Anne Heisler untitled 2 @buttrbelle (Instagram)
Anne Heisler untitled 3 @buttrbelle (Instagram)
5.75” - 6” each laser cut and hand painted teak, walnut
No statement, but I would like to credit Alexander Jones aka @Offset_Ajones (Instagram though he doesn’t use it) for the laser cutting & some imagination.
Alex Wilson “Pearl of Great Price” @bikefreeek (Instagram)
Mixed Media on wood panel
This piece is based from the scripture Matthew Chapter 13 Verses 45-46:
"45. 'Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; 46. when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it."
The piece is filled with symbolism that refers to Jesus' parable, the Pearl of Great Price, that includes literal, iconographic and personal imagery in an interpretation of this scripture. It references Abstract Impressionism, landscape, graphic design and scientific drawing in its composition that gives the viewer visual cues to a larger narrative to be explored. It also strives to stand alone as an aesthetic object to be appreciated for its visual splendor aside from any literal meaning.
Next season I will put out a call for art via my Instagram account: @Olivia.Arrow.Dhamee
Please check back to see the exhibits or contact me to participate!