Three Blind Mice, two tattoos, and one big Splash
By jarah
- Aug 02 2006
- 0
"This show centers around youth, memory, and letting go," says artist Aurora Armijo.
"Three Blind Mice" is a deeply introspective look at the artists' life with her two brothers, Joel and Jonathan.
Through a mix of paintings, prints, pen and ink work, and an instillation, Armijo, 25, explores the mistakes she and her brothers have made and tries to figure out why they became such different adults.
Over fifty shoes are suspended from the ceiling and arranged in piles throughout the small gallery space of TrenDs tattoo and oxygen bar. Boots, sandals and heels- collected via pleas on MySpace- are painted a tri-colored rainbow of pink, blue and green. Large paintings with a similar color scheme line the walls. Armijo freely admits she has a "shoe problem," a mild obsession courtesy of her mother.
"My mom used to call me 'Mouse' because I was quiet and I was always hiding places," explains Armijo. Her two brothers were markedly different, finding trouble and putting the artist in danger on more than one occasion. "We all made different mistakes. Some of them we were blind to and some of them we saw coming."
A painting on the south wall depicts a young man flanked by teeth suspended with strings. He's a composite of the artist's two brothers. "Roll" is a memory of when one brother slapped her with a newspaper roll- and knocked out two teeth.
"I've always been a cautious person and my brothers have been the complete opposite. My curiosity is whether or not we made mistakes when we were such young children that put us in such different mindsets." While the memories she explores may be bittersweet, or just plain painful, the show itself is a candy-colored celebration of one who has acknowledged, and made peace with, her mistakes. Don't miss it.
Cruise down Fulton for a little more self-reflection at Ashtree Studios. "Self Portraits" is a solo exhibition of newer works by Aileen R. Imperatrice.
While you're in the Tower District, check out new ArtHop stop Red Wave Art Studio and Gallery's premier show, "Raw Talent". Featuring the work of tattoo and graffiti artists, including work on canvas from the Lords graffiti crew, the seven-month-old tattoo parlor plans to be open every month for ArtHop.
Those downtown won't want to miss SPLASH, a William Raines Invitational at Corridor 2122. Featuring work by a laundry list of who's who, the group show features work that is a representation of literal space that explores the relationship between site, theme, art, and process. With works by Bob Barnes, Kristi Bolin, John Bourbon, Steve Davies, Alan Montgomery, Vincent Mendez, Mary Yoder, Michael Reed, and William Raines. The vibe is completed with Ome (Souled Out) and Devoya Mayo (Move On Up) providing the tracks.
Round out the evening at 3 Brush Gallery's American Gothic II: Skin and Ink. A sequel to last year's exhibit of photos by Johnny Stafford, this year's show continues on the theme of people and their ink. With sculpture by legendary Fresno artist Chris Sorenson.
Check out the ArtHop map for more!
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