Abby Lazerow show at Langford Art Gallery in Phoenix continues through Nov. 1
By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news
The art exhibition of a renowned American artist living in Ashland has opened at the Langford Art Gallery in Phoenix. The exhibition “Beneath the Surface” features dozens of paintings by artist Abby Lazerow. The artist describes her work as “the search for human connection.”
Lazerow also addresses broader societal issues, social divisions, injustice, protest and the longing for reconciliation and healing. She describes her paintings as delving into the hidden layers of contemporary life.
“In the exhibition, I have added paintings that explore the subtle and complex layers of contemporary life. Many of the works are created in layers, some painted over older pieces…then over time, deeper stories can gradually be uncovered,” Lazerow said,
That message was not lost on Ashland artist Michael Louis Moll. He said part of his own story was uncovered by one painting in particular.
“I’m really impressed with this painting; it’s showing ICE enforcers taking down an immigrant. When I was homeless the same thing happened to me twice. I was nearly choked to death, gasping for breath and telling them I couldn’t breathe. This painting is very personal and poignant with the expression. What I learned from that was it’s a social issue that those that are destitute are often treated with less respect and I had gone through that myself, and there it is,” Mollo said.
The deets
Abby Lazerow, “Beneath the Surface,” Langford Art Gallery, 4850 S. Pacific Highway, Phoenix. Opened Oct. 3, closes Nov. 1.
The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
During the citywide Phoenix second Phriday from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, the gallery will be open to the community with hospitality and music.
An artist’s talk from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, offers a chance to hear directly from Lazerow on her life’s work expressing narratives of human connection.
A community-building presentation with Mara Estes from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, promises “an evening of art and meaningful dialogue” about what it is to “depolarize within” and “how we might bring acts of reconciliation to our daily lives.”
Elizabeth Walsh of Ashland said she appreciates the sophistication of the art and how good it is to find this level of talent in our area.
“It’s stunning, I love her work, it really grasps the journey of life and death … I see images of passing, awakening and finally conflict. I see some of these newer paintings that show our current affairs with the struggling we’re going through as a country; they are very important.” Walsh said.
One large painting in a corner of the gallery impressed Howard Osbold of Talent. He moved back and forth across the floor viewing the work.
“I’ve never been to a show here that challenged me so much, that the images are so deep, so frank, so emotionally telling and so current to our own culture right now,” Osbold said as he moved around the space. “What a beautiful pallet and amazing compositions, but more than that, I see this ability to communicate emotions in these people that’s so appropriate for the time we are experiencing now,” he added.
Lazerow said she was pleased with the way the exhibit was hung and was grateful to have a large gallery space in our area. She said she hopes the art community continues to expand now.
“I wish there was more dialogue about art. I did find that more in a big city where everybody would have some kind of art, no matter how small, in their house. They were interested in what was going on, maybe this place is more craft oriented, I’m not sure. But we’re trying, the Talent Gallery is open, Jack Langford’s gallery is open, SOU has interesting art shows. I don’t want to be lecturing anybody about art, but I wish there was more,” Lazerow said.
In her paintings, Lazerow said she asks, “What does it mean to live fully in a world where beauty and despair coexist, while also pointing toward renewal?”
Lazerow lives with her family on a small farm in Ashland where she paints in her studio and raises sheep, fruits and vegetables. Before moving to Southern Oregon, she was a museum educator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, an art instructor at UCLA and USC, and a California Arts Council artist in residence.
Independent curator Beca Blake has supported Lazerow’s work and was involved in developing the show.
“Abby’s work explores the range of human connection through extraordinary impact of color, texture, technique and scale that is masterful and unique. It is particularly rare to experience this type of work within our rural community,” Blake said.
Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at [email protected].
