Pam Rogers, Grafted Garden, 2010. Watercolor and ink on paper, 18 x 23 inches. Photo courtesy Pam Rogers.

The force that through the green fuse drives the flower/ Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees/ Is my destroyer.

—Dylan Thomas (click here for entire poem)

The poetry of Dylan Thomas haunts the exhibition Sprout, a nature-themed show by four emerging female artists at Kibbee Gallery. Curated by Anne-Marie Manker, Sprout includes more than 20 works on paper with varying degrees of conceptual depth. Young Atlanta artists Julia Kubica, Kelly Cloninger, and Katherine Gaddy convey nature as a vital force. But it is Pam Rogers’ meditations on mortality and renewal, rooted in powerful life experience, that steal the show.

Rogers creates watercolors that fuse delicate renderings of plants with an unsettling surrealism. Images of bandaged, grafted, tied, and stitched plants pervade her paintings with a variety of colors and styles. In Grafted Garden, a blossom with a tourniquet droops from a stalk that extends across the composition like a bony, skeletal arm. Strange hybrids bloom, suggesting an endless cycle of entropy and regeneration.

The life cycle theme is more explicit in the cool-hued Objects in Translation, where a broken animal skull floats beneath a swaddled bundle resembling both a bird’s nest and a bandaged plant. A trail of blue dots connects the skull to a magnolia blossom, whose petals echo the skull’s shape. The memento mori in the watercolor pays homage to painters Georgia O’Keefe and Frida Kahlo. With the ambiguity of images such as the swaddled bundle, Rogers also communicates the uncertainty of life.

Personal traumatic experiences inspired the wrapping and grafting metaphors, Rogers explains in an interview. A car accident at age 19 left her in a body cast for months. Binding also serves as a metaphor for self-imposed and cultural constraints.

Pam Rogers, A Sportsman's Dilemma, 2010. Mixed media, 4 x 3 feet. Photo courtesy Pam Rogers.

Rogers makes a feminist statement in a large ephemeral sculpture. Collected plant materials—sunflowers, sewn-up birds-of-paradise, ivy, and pine cones—are amassed in a bundle that is wrapped with clothesline and a nautical-looking rope made of upholstery cord. Called A Sportsman’s Dilemma, the work hangs in a blocked stairway like something dredged up by a fisherman. Fading bouquets of roses, berries encased in tulle netting, and an old-fashioned, silvery brooch evoke nostalgia and memories of a woman’s past. A lovely festoon of wing-shaped maple seeds strung on fishing wire encircles the work like a spring whirlwind, suggesting freedom and rebirth.

Trained in botanical illustration, Rogers found the genre conceptually limiting. Her work has become more idea-driven, transcending the genre, since she completed an MFA in painting at Savannah College of Design in 2008. For influences she cites whimsical watercolorists Amy Cutler and Walton Ford, who was inspired by John James Audubon for his surreal wildlife paintings.

Kelly Cloninger, Untitled, 2010. Pencil and gouache on paper, 11 x 8 inches. Photo courtesy Kelly Cloninger.

Kelly Cloninger explores female fertility with obsessively drawn flowers from her Womb series. Dense aggregates of petals generate small satellites of themselves in a stylized pattern that even proliferates beyond the picture frame, spreading to the wall in the different medium of yarn. The open spatial arrangement in the drawings is reminiscent of Chinese landscape painting.

Native American creation myths inspired the strong graphic design impressions in Julia Kubica’s cut-mylar works. Silhouetted trees with massive roots in serpentine curves dominate the composition. Resembling rivers, they are full of energetic, wavy lines. Through the layering of painted mylar, Kubica, a graphic designer, creates a sense of diffused light.

Katherine Gaddy’s small-scale pencil-and-acrylic works juxtapose the vapid imagery of adorable panda bears with highly detailed nature imagery. Bears rendered in soft pastel colors straddle stark trees with infinitely intricate black-and-white bark. Still a SCAD undergraduate, Gaddy offers a study of contrasts seeking resolution in drawings such as Pink Pandemonium.

From their intimations of mortality to emblems of infinitude, the works in Sprout offer an intelligent dialogue.

Sally Hansell writes frequently for Fiberarts magazine. A former staff reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she has also contributed to American Craft magazine and curated local exhibitions of contemporary art.

At the ACA Gallery of SCAD: Mercy, Patience and Destiny: The Women of Whitfield Lovell

[UPDATED] From kites to an African-American comic book hero to experimental installations, this week’s art listings offer an impressive range.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

[NEW] Documents and LaToya Ruby Frazier: Notion of the Family
(Two shows are part of the National Black Arts Festival)
Hagedorn Foundation Gallery / 5:30-9PM

Kites are Fun Art Show
Aurora Coffee in the Virginia Highlands / 8-10PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

Brotherman (comic show)
Art on 5/ 11AM-1PM

At Kibbee Gallery: McCalla Hill, The Perfect Timeline. Photo by Ben Grad.

In the Flesh (closing reception, work by Kelly Cloninger and McCalla Hill)
Kibbee Gallery / 6-9PM

Tech-know-logic: Three Artists/Three Technologies (featuring Jonathan Fisher, Chris May, and Travis Smith)
The Seen Gallery / 7-10PM

100 Ladies (paintings by local tattooist Danielle Distefano)
Youngblood Gallery / 7-10PM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4

Art Opening and a Movie: Purple Rain (a tribute to the 80s)
Plaza Theatre / 8:45PM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6

The Ones to Watch (new work from Atlanta artists Meg Aubrey, Daniel Biddy, Donna Johnson, and Dosa Kim)
Alan Avery Art Company / 5-10PM (coincides with the First Thursdays Buckhead Gallery Walk)

Dis-placed (a one night show of experimental installations by emerging international and local artists)
Studioplex, 7-9:30PM

ONGOING

Mercy, Patience and Destiny: The Women of Whitfield Lovell’s Tableaux
ACA Gallery of SCAD

Work by Jennie C. Jones, Charles Huntley Nelson, and Alexi Brown-Schmidt and Rose Marcus
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center

G2: Transformations (new work by Paul S. Benjamin)
Swan Coach House Gallery

Except where otherwise noted, all events on our To Do Lists are free and open to the public. Keep checking previous Lists for more ongoing shows!

McCalla Hill, The Perfect Timeline

Two visits, two very good galleries. Both Kibbee and MINT are currently showcasing work which focuses on femininity and the human body.

A view of Kelly Cloninger's pieces, from the perspective of the fireplace mantle.

Kibbee Gallery held their fourth show this past Saturday, featuring work by McCalla Hill and Kelly Cloninger.

Perhaps one of the most curatorially interesting aspects of Hill and Cloniger’s show was how well their pieces worked within a home/gallery environment. Both artists explore issues of femininity and the human body, so it felt fitting to see Hill’s video pieces hidden away in closets or narrow hallways, and the hearth used as a focal point for Cloninger’s work. The use of a home, a concept frequently characterized as an extension or metaphor for families and individuals, lends an extra dimension to these two artists’ work which would have been missing in a traditional gallery setting.

"Winner," written in tape at the entrance to the Plastic Aztecs' MINT Gallery show.

I didn’t get to see enough of the Plastic Aztecs’ show. To be fair, I don’t think anyone got to see enough of the show. MINT was packed, and a good portion of the Aztecs’ pieces were smallish trophies with hilarious titles—picture a room full of people leaning over to read minuscule hand writing, then grabbing their friends, who then repeat the process.

Intergalactic Strongthang Competition trophy wall.

When we started talking about sexual commentary, when you address things that deal with sports … or competition in general … things like costuming or making a trophy and [the meanings] all that equals—I think we really get into it. Yes, it’s about sports … though it’s more about the celebration of the winner.
—Andrea Sanders, speaking in an excerpt from BURNAWAY.ORG’s previous interview

Em stands in front of one of the Plastic Aztecs' paintings.

As with most of my favorite MINT shows, Saturday’s exhibit was about spectacle. And spectacle makes good art.

SATURDAY & MONDAY: Atlanta Printmakers Artists in Residence open house and panel discussion! Above: Jenny Zhang, Juba Spider No. 5.

This is our weekly To Do List, where you can find info on new art openings and cool events throughout the city!

FRIDAY: Buy Local opens at Emily Amy Gallery. Above: Vaclavik, STR.

FRIDAY, JULY 10

Group show Buy Local
Emily Amy Gallery / 7-10PM

Delight yourself and experience the talented rising artists of Atlanta. Buy Local includes works by Kristina Bailey, Holly Golson Bryan, Meta Gary, Will Kay, Whitney Stansell, and Zuzka Vaclavik. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Caroline Smith and Teresa Cole Agents of Seduction
Whitespace / 7-10PM

These two artists bring a new look and fusion of sculpture and printmaking craftiness to their show.

Group Show Greenworks
Art Department Gallery (Studioplex) / 7-11PM

Prove yourself to be the earth-lover you are by supporting works that are eco-friendly. Participating artists include Luis Garcia-Nerey, John Tindel, Anke Schofield, Michi, Dosa Kim, Nina Surel, Robert Mars, Melissa Sims, Shaun Thurston, Esteban Patino, Dan May, David Huff, Emmy Dudley, and Jeff Lange.

ASIFA Atlanta Georgia Animation Screening
High Museum of Art / 8PM

A fusion of artists and filmmakers from Atlanta and Savannah connect for animation fun at the High. Avery Matthews, Hamid Bahrami, Takuro Masuda, Amanda Goodbread, Hall Miles, and Brett Thompson are among the film participants.

SATURDAY: Sam Parker's Neoteny opens at Beep Beep Gallery.

SATURDAY, JULY 11

Plastic Aztecs Intergalactic Strongthang Exhibition
MINT Gallery / 8-11PM

‘Nuff said.

Sam Parker Neoteny
Beep Beep Gallery / 8-11PM

Travel into the childhood mind of Sam Parker. Drawing might be a habitual pastime, but the collection appropriately titled Neoteny allows one to moments frozen in the mind of a child. Check out Beep Beep’s studio visit here!

Teresa Cole Artist Talk At Whitespace
Whitespace / 2-3PM

Artist Teresa Cole talks about her lovely prints. Also, be prepared to hear a bit about her newest dual show with sculptor, Caroline Smith.

Group show APS Emerging Artist Residency open house
Atlanta Printmakers Studio / 6-9PM

Come out to the Atlanta Printmakers Studio to see the works of the artists of the 2009 Emerging Artist Residencies. Participants are Betsy Medvedovsky, Whitney Stansell, and Jenny Zhang. A mixture of nostalgia crosses the look of propaganda advertisements.

Kelly Cloninger and McCalla In the Flesh
Kibbee Gallery / 6-9PM

In a biologically eye-opening exhibit, artists Kelly Cloninger and McCalla Hill present their provocative mixed-media works to interpret the womb, and rediscover femininity as a whole.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JULY 10-12

MG Fest 2009 : New Motion + New Sound + New Code
Creative Circus/Stirling Ledet/Various times

SATURDAY: Creative Remix Party at Creative Circus. Above: DJ Quetzatl.

Featuring the works of Shepard Fairey, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Chuck D of Public Enemy, KRS-One, Addictive TV, Digital Kitchen, The Mill, Passion Pictures, Animal Logic, Post Panic, Dvein, David Lobser, Integrated Visions, The Secret Life, Sensitive Chaos, GalaxC Girl, Quetzatl, and more—just a glimpse of the greatness at the festival. In addition, live music, screenings, and innovations in all things technological prove this festival is a must-go for any artist, filmmaker, or animation enthusiast. Daytime workshops will be held at Stirling Ledet Atlanta, while evening events will be held at Creative Circus (812 Lambert Drive).

Jenny Zhang, Juba Spider No. 4

MONDAY, JULY 13

Panel discussion JUBA SPIDER
Apache Café / 8:30PM

The art of Jenny Zhang stirs a discussion about art and social change, hip-hop, race, and sexuality, featuring the voices of Cinqué Hicks, Felicia Feaster, Charles Stephens, Karen Fain, and Jenny Zhang. See also Zhang’s WonderRoot TV artist profile at Creative Loafing!

ONGOING

Group show The Affordable Art Show
Alan Avery Art Company / 11-5PM

Although art is never like Wal-Mart’s old motto—Always Low Prices—the Affordable Art Show can promise you one thing: works by emerging artists, all under $1,000. Come out and see such lovely works you’ll brag to company at your house, “I got a bargain.”

Except where otherwise noted, all events on our To Do Lists are free and open to the public. Keep checking previous Lists for more ongoing shows!