This year marks West End Gallery’s inaugural Summer Feature Exhibit: Celebrating the Creative Journey, a group show featuring more than 50 new paintings by six artists that include Jennifer Fais, Edd Tokarz Harnas, Christina M. Johnson, Joseph A. Miller, Wilson Ong and Judy Soprano.
“We carefully selected this group of artists based on the wide range of subjects, mediums and styles,” says gallery owner Jesse Gardner. “The cohesiveness and strength in this exhibit reside in its variety, and the path each artist is taking in their respective artistic journeys. In this sense, what sets each artist apart is indeed what brings this exhibit—and viewers—together. There’s something beautiful about that. What sets us apart, brings us together.”
Wilson Ong, Journey’s End, oil on canvas, 16 x 20"
Joseph Miller, an associate professor of art and design at State University of New York, Buffalo, joined the “West End family of artists” in 2019. “I focus primarily on the human figure depicted in environments that create a context for psychologically charged open ended narratives,” he says. “Quality of light is a common theme. In particular, the way in which atmospheric light and locale can suggest a sense of mystery and silence. These works are dark, humid and hopefully, at their best, memorable.”
Joseph Miller, Nest, acrylic and oil on paper on panel, 19 x 12½"
Miller’s piece Nest was inspired by Arthur Hughes’ 1852 painting Ophelia. “As in Ophelia, the girl in Nest appears illuminated by an unearthly light, lost in enchantment,” he says. “What is it, among the leaves, that she holds and nurtures so tenderly? Who lives in the old house? I hope viewers are as entertained as I am by these questions.”
Working in both watercolor and oils, Christina Johnson paints contemporary still lifes and florals, as well as landscapes. She uses symbolism and mythology to build a narrative across a body of work and within individual pieces, as she did in her dynamic still life of assorted fruit. “Seeds and Swordsis a painting about reflection—hindsight being 20/20 and the indecision one faces in a period of chaos or tumult,” she explains. “We move forward and make decisions to the best of our ability, planting what we hope are seeds, later realizing they weren’t the best moves to make—the swords.”
Christina Johnson, Seeds or Swords?, oil on panel, 12 x 12"
Journey’s End is a peaceful river’s edge scene by Wilson Ong, who has been with West End Gallery for nearly 20 years. “I painted Journey’s End first using a photo reference, and then changing the sky and water reflection to better convey the passing of time and mortality,” Ong shares. “I introduced an old abandoned boat that symbolizes the end of life for an unknown passenger, though the water continues moving forward.”
West End Gallery’s Summer Feature Exhibitopens with a reception on June 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. and remains on view through July 11—a popular time in New York’s Finger Lakes region, but that’s not the only reason to turn out for the show.
Jennifer Fais, Spring Wedding: Magnolia, watercolor and acrylic on paper, 6 x 9"
“We always encourage a visit to the gallery to enjoy and experience the artwork in person,” says Gardner. “In a digital age, the tactile quality of the artwork can be missed. There’s also a human element to visiting the gallery and meeting an artist in person. Not only does each artist have a story, but each work of art also has a story to tell. Each artist’s journey, like each piece created by them, is unique.” —
West End Gallery 12 W. Market Street • Corning, NY 14830 • (607) 936-2011 • www.westendgallery.net
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