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Art Shows! Barbara Ramos, An Observant Eye + Bay Area Basket Maker, Diversity + AGP Sitting
Barbara Ramos, An Observant Eye features mostly black and white photographic images taken in the 1970’s and new works initiated during the pandemic, curated by Alida Bray. The exhibition is running concurrently with Bay Area Basket Makers, Diversity, and a group show, Sitting Pretty, by members of the Art Guild of Pacifica.
Barbara Ramos, energetically connected with her photographic practice throughout the 1970’s, she recognized she needed to make a conscious decision about how to make a living and raise a family. She determined that the active way in which she engaged with photography, “every waking minute, obsessed by looking, by exploring the world” wasn’t going to be possible for her to continue. Thinking that photography was part of her “former younger self” she initially began to throw away her negatives 45 years ago — to fortunately have then retrieved by her husband — and instead packed them away in boxes.
An unanticipated silver lining to pandemic shelter-in restrictions was the opportunity of time to re-engage with her negatives. An intention to review, edit and digitalize what was in the trove of boxes, also created a means to share the newly formatted photographic images on social media, where Barbara received admiration and encouragement.
Barbara Ramos was born in New York City, moving with her family at the age of six to Los Angeles. Her father worked in the film industry and it was exciting to walk through the sets with him. The black and white stills on his worktable didn’t actively draw her in, though subconsciously they likely set the foundation for her future work. In 1969, she moved to San Francisco to attend the San Francisco Art Institute, where she studied with Imogen Cunningham, Richard Conrat, John Collier Jr., Jerry Burchard and Margery Mann, and received her BFA in photography. Her MA in Creative Arts Interdisciplinary, from San Francisco State, was achieved in 1973.
Barbara Ramos’ earlier works were primarily street images, documenting with intense curiosity what she saw around her, freely preserving the people and artifacts of the times from North Beach and Chinatown to Market Street. Her current work continues this focus, from walks in the Inner Richmond District and other neighborhoods. And, she’s discovered joy in taking nature photographs, stemming from time outdoors, again during the pandemic, in San Mateo and Marin Counties.
A blending of vintage photographs form the basis of the exhibition juxtaposed with new images taken over the past few years. Ramos notes, “It’s heartening to know that I’ve not lost my passion to photograph even though I’ve not photographed for decades. Knowing that so many people have responded to both my vintage and current photographs is uplifting.”
For additional insight into the artist and her work, come to the Artist/Curator Talk on closing Sunday, March 26 at 3:30 pm.
In the East Gallery are the works of members of the Bay Area Basket Makers, showing three dimensional wall and free-standing pieces created from an exciting variety of materials, in a show titled Diversity. Baskets are diverse just by nature of their techniques and materials, whether traditional or contemporary, functional or non-functional. Nature materials used in weaving the pieces in the show range from kelp to eucalyptus bark, palm inflorescence to pine needles, gourds and more, supplemented by man-made materials such as beads, tea bags, waxed cord, and even scrap electrical wire and a discarded Westinghouse fan cover.
Though contemporary fiber vessels may not be functional, as sculpture they convey diverse emotions, ideas, and states of mind. Techniques such as Japanese flower knot plaiting can inspire the final shape. A collection of work, by Barbara Shapiro, “Urns for Covid” symbolizes a “congregation of loss, so many people, each an individual loss.” Michelle Sonnenfeld’s piece “Trying to Hold Time” represents the futility of trying to hold on to time. The artist shares, “as hard as we might try to grasp and hold onto time, it evaporates into thin air.”
The Bay Area Basket Makers (BABM) guild was founded 38 years ago to support interest in basketry as a craft and art form. The guild serves as a community resource with workshops, classes, monthly meet ups and mentorship. The exhibition was coordinated by Bob Darchi. The works of a dozen basket makers are included in the show.
Members of Bay Area Basket Makers will provide live demonstrations on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 2:00 pm in the East Gallery.
The West Gallery is presenting a group show by the Art Guild of Pacifica members, Sitting Pretty. Pieces include assemblage, ceramic sculpture, paintings in acrylic, oil and watercolor, mixed media and more. The Art Guild holds four themed exhibitions a year, plus an annual members’ show, and a holiday show and sale each December. Small works and cards are also available from the AGP Shop.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/1595764-0
