CHROMATIC EDGE – Chandrika Marla Explores the Essence of a Feminine Existence Through Vivid Color at Sanchez Art Center

Sanchez Art Center will be awash with color and magical energy with the opening of three new exhibitions.   Chromatic Edge, an exhibition of paintings by visual artist Chandrika Marla offers her work that explores the essence of a feminine existence through vivid color, showing in the Main Gallery.  Opening concurrently are: Prism Play, a full spectrum of art quilts, by members of the Northern California and Nevada region of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), and a group show with members of the Art Guild of Pacifica, themed Myth and Magic.

The opening reception is on Friday, May 31. From 7-9 pm, with live music by The Flying Salvias.

Chandrika Marla is a visual artist who is best known for her vibrant color field paintings that explore the feminine. She is inspired by women, their relationships with others, and with their own selves. As she paints, she draws on memories of events, conversations and emotions to compare relationships between people, the outer and inner self, the individual and society. Her reductive abstractions of the female form dwell upon the philosophical and emotional nature of color and memory.

Viewing Marla’s work, Maria Porges has noted, “Like Rothko, she believes that color can serve as an instrument to fulfill a greater purpose. For her, part of that purpose is to celebrate women’s ability to rise above trauma and loss and become what they are truly meant to become.”   Diane Thodos, Neoteric Art, has written, “The more simple Marla’s abstractions are, the more they become purely essential states of mind. Pulsating with a life of their own, they reflect an emotional wisdom about human intuition, and the ever-changing nature of feelings and moods as seen through the prism of ancient Indian aesthetics.”

Marla’s work has been exhibited at The de Young Museum (California), Queens Museum of Art (New York), Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia), and the Rockford Art Museum (Illinois). She moved to the United States in 1998 and is currently a resident artist at Cubberley Studios in Palo Alto.

Sanchez Art Center’s Artistic Director and exhibition curator, Jerry Ross Barrish, notes, “For me, Chandrika Marla’s paintings create an aura.  I cannot get away from her palette, shapes and feminine message.  I look forward to the gallery filled with vibrant energy.”

Chromatic Edge will conclude with an artist’s talk on Sunday, June 30, beginning at 3:30 pm.

The East Gallery is presenting Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Northern California and Nevada members in a group show, Prism Play, a full spectrum of art quilts.  The exhibition initially envisioned by Curator Cara Gulati, reflects a continuum of colorful art quilts traveling around the walls following the flow of a color wheel with no beginning or end.  Sixty-two panels that were required to be consistent in size (15” wide by 45” high) were selected by juror Joen Wolfrom, creator of the Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool.   The exhibition is unique, developed with a 24-step color wheel as inspiration for individual creativity.  Each participating artist selected their color, developed their design that was without limits as to theme, and created work with their chosen techniques and materials.  Working in monochrome palettes was a challenge that each artist embraced and excelled with.

The public is invited to two special events during the Prism Play exhibition.  On Saturday, June 15, from 2 – 3:30 pm, a hands-on chromatic textile bookmark making event will be hosted by Barbara Kibbe, one of the artists in the exhibition.  And, on Sunday, June 23, 3:00 pm, Cara Gulati, the Prism Play Curator along with local artists in the show will take part in a gallery walk and talk.

The Art Guild of Pacifica presents Myth & Magic, a group show in the West Gallery.  Mythical creatures, talismans, surreal images and other enchantments intended to charm and delight infuse the works in the exhibition.  Pieces include paintings in acrylic, oil and watercolor, jewelry, pen and ink, mixed media, textiles and more.  The Art Guild will also offer small artworks and art cards for purchase (cash/check).

Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd in Pacifica, about a mile east of Highway 1. Following opening night, the galleries are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1–5 pm, and by appointment, through June 30.

For more information call 650.355.1894 or visit SanchezArtCenter.org.