Feature Articles

November Issue 2002

Davidson College in Davidson, NC, Presents Works by Jimmy O'Neal & Alex Clark

The William H. Van Every Gallery at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, is proud to present the new exhibition entitled, Speculum, by Jimmy O'Neal. The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 4, 2002. In the Edward M. Smith Gallery will be the exhibition, Invisible Cities, featuring new paintings by Alex Clark, on view through Nov. 20, 2002.

O'Neal defies categorization. His fascination with the time-space continuum draw him to all corners of arts and sciences. The metaphysical works that result are peripheral evidence of the worlds that lay beyond our conscious mind and perception.

For this exhibition of new works, O'Neal pulls the viewer through the looking glass into a realm of "real magic". Drawing inspiration from mythology, alchemy and, more specifically, P.E.I. Bonewits' 1971 treatise on The Laws of Magic, O'Neal employs his specially-formulated mirrored paint to create semi-static works that exist in "real time". Because these works reflect and refract their surroundings, they only exist when the viewer peers into them. And it is due to this fact that the works never appear to be the same way twice.

Alex Clark will present a new series of paintings entitled, Invisible Cities. These delicate, allegorical acrylics on canvas and board call to mind the works of 15th century Italian masters. Drawing inspiration from obscure religious and art historical references, Clark constructs a somber comedic stage on which he directs his cast of characters in a timeless drama of human folly and futility.

Art critic Tom Patterson wrote that Clark's narrative works are " . . . obviously reminiscent of certain children's book illustrations, particularly in its stylized imagery and pumped-up colors. The scenes Clark depicts are like stills from a Frederico Fellini movie, or frozen moments from a Latin American magic-realist novel."

For additional information check our NC Institutional Gallery listings, call the gallery director, Brad Thomas, at 704/ 894-2519 or 704/894-2344 weekdays or by e-mail at (brthomas@davidson.edu).

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