Bozeman Magazine

Old Main Gallery is pleased to feature C. Gregory Gummersall and R. Nelson Parrish  in a two man exhibition Shibumi. An Artists’ Reception will take place on Friday, January 10th from 5-7PM at Old Main Gallery.  Shibumi a Japanese word which refers to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. Implying a simplicity of spirit; an attitude of refinement without pretension, honesty without apology, beauty without artifice.  Influenced by artists such as John Corbett, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Cy Twombly, and Richard Diebenkorn….. Gummersall’s paintings have an energetically gestural, spontaneous quality. His brushstrokes suggest symbols or signs whose meanings can be sensed but never fully grasped. They are reminiscent of adrenaline-filled quickly drawn graffiti. But unlike the temporary existence of most graffiti, Greg’s brushstrokes and use of collage build upon each other to create a sense of memory in the canvases; nothing is erased, and through the layers of paint, the history of his marks remain visible. R. Nelson Parrish voices his work through color. Drawing from skiing, surfing and auto racing, Parrish uses personal experience as source material. The objects are comprised of: resin, pigmented resin, racing stripes, wood and fiberglass, resulting in a hybrid of painting and sculpture.The work concentrates on the disengagement of the participant from the peripheral, as occurs in adrenaline sports, and forces a focus upon the present moment. In these moments, a heightened sensation of calm is induced, despite the tumultuous and chaotic surroundings. The melding of these emotions, and seemingly disparate elements, create a synergetic experience. The objects are a visual translation of this synergy.Using experience and materials as signifiers, the work is a reflection of our current landscape. This synergy ultimately centers upon the question of natural versus synthetic. For more information,  please call (406) 587-8860 or write to gallery@oldmaingallery.com