Everyday Inspiration, Jerry Ross Barrish — Fog Fest Photography Invitational — AGP Anything Goes
PLUS a photography exhibition sharing the images of the Fog Fest Photography Contest award winners and judges, and a group show with the members of the Art Guild of Pacifica, themed Anything Goes.
Jerry Ross Barrish, born in San Francisco in 1939, moved to Pacifica in the early 1980’s and started to pick up plastic “garbage” from the beach by his home. He began to see images in the forms of the found objects that led him to find his unique voice by creating sculptures out of it. The assemblage/constructions largely made from this undervalued resource, capture gesture, form and movement, bringing life to the refuse that is the essence of Barrish’s art. Barrish notes that “Sometimes I set out to make an image and actually search for the pieces to complete the idea, but more often it’s the found object that dictates what I’m going to do.” Though a preconceived vision offers a structured direction, he further notes “inspiration and freedom come from letting this discarded stuff provide the image itself. ”
Barrish’s work grows from his innate ability as a storyteller, a talent further developed through time spent at the San Francisco Art Institute where he earned his BFA (1974) and MFA (1976) in filmmaking. His pieces evoke both emotion and wonder.
In Dancing Queen, (free standing, 68” x 24” x 19”) we feel the tender embrace of the couple and sense movement through the slight bend in legs preparing for a “dip”. And, then find astonishment that this moment of intimacy has been made from marine floats, wiffle balls, and household cleaning parts.
The Statues of Liberty Series, (currently 12 sculptures) brings at this critical juncture in time, works infrequently shown that take us through historical markers from the beginning of the country, through to such events as the Iraq War and the cross of injustice spreading through the Supreme Court, while maintaining hope through liberty reborn and the torch being passed to young Liberty. In a time of societal upheaval, Chamuel, (hanging installation, 55” x 31” x 28”) an archangel known as the angel of love, peace and relationships, helps us to find compassion, resolve conflicts, and find peace and harmony.
The East Gallery presents the Fog Fest Invitational Photography Show, featuring the winners of the annual Pacific Coast Fog Fest Photography Contest and the judges (Alan Grinberg, Edwin Hacking, and Sharron L Walker). While the Contest has specific categories for entry, the Invitational provides the opportunity for each photographer to share the work they would like included in the exhibition. Daniele Derenzi uses her photographic eye to bring us an escape from the constant rush we live in. Documenting nature from open space to winding forest trails brings calm and peaceful meditation as portrayed through her three images in the exhibition including “Our Tree” at the trail crossing in San Pedro Valley Park (just up the road from Sanchez Art Center).
Photographer Esther Kutnick also used walks for her inspiration, with hers being gardens found on her daily travels around her San Francisco neighborhood. She’s created unique layered images, transforming what in other areas of the country may be experienced as the muted shades of winter, into bursts of California color. Kutnick notes, “This year, a solitary image — no matter how colorful — didn’t capture the layered quality of life in this beautiful, obstinate, unbroken state of California. The base layers of childhood are sweet, innocent, and sometimes confusing. Later years bring layers of good and bad, of breakthroughs and setbacks, of love and loss. Yet the beauty of nature is constant, offering glimpses of brightness in the midst of a darkening world.”
Five images from a larger body of work called Keepers of the Flame, are being presented by Curt Bianchi. These celebrates the preservation of steam era railroading into the twenty-first century. Bianchi notes, “ I focus on the men and women who perpetuate the skills and crafts required to maintain and operate these railroads in an historically accurate manner. Most of these images were made at heritage railroads around the United States.” He as personally printed the images on Hahnemühle Photo Rag paper.
Ringing in the new year, the Art Guild of Pacifica presents Anything Goes, a group show. This wide open, flexible theme was selected to ease into 2026. And, AGP members responded! with over 60 pieces in the exhibition including works in clay, fiber, printmaking, watercolor – oil – acrylic paintings, jewelry and much more. In addition to this eclectic array of artworks, the Art Guild will also offer small artworks and art cards.
The galleries are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 1–5 pm, and by appointment, through Feb 8.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3426822-0
