CANDY CIRCUS

This month at IGLOO we have John Oliver Lewis from San Diego. He will be showing ceramic works that lie in between sculpture, painting, and the soft quality of Play-Doh. These objects of imagination are supported by the inspection of architecture, natural land formations and vehicles of travel, informed by cartoons, caricature, knick-knacks, and candy. The resulting individuals are often arranged into groupings and "gangs" based on observed formal and narrative relationships.

CRYSTAL SCHENK

Crystal Schenk will exhibit an interactive sculptural installation in IGLOO during September. The work will transform the gallery walls into a large canvas consisting of magnetized walls which will attract and hold an organic formation of steel pellets hand-placed by viewer participants. Over the course of a month, the installation will undergo continuous transformation as visitors add the steel pellets to the magnetic wall and begin to reshape the growing mass.

Schenk’s work has been exhibited at galleries in Switzerland, New York, Chicago, Portland, and throughout the Midwest. She is an adjunct professor at PNCA, The Art Institute of Portland, and Portland Community College.

Opening Reception: Thursday, Sept. 4, 6-10pm

August "Play" Show

A tremendous group show and one year anniversary at IGLOO on the 7th of August. The mix of work developed on the loose theme of "Play" was as varied as the artists. Sculpture, footwear, audio recordings, Mad Libs, and painting/wood carving. It all came together.

PLAY group show Opens August 7

This month Bryon and I asked some artists around Portland to create a work based on the idea of PLAY. We wanted people to try a new approach, method, or concept that allowed them to experiment with their practice. As can be expected, a wide variety of interpretations came about with unexpected results.

Artists: Melissa Gallagher, Matthew Greene, Larry Mills, Christopher Ross, Paige Saez, Joe Shea, Cyrus Smith

Reception: Thursday, August 7, 6-10pm

Art Auction Party on Thursday July 31

GIMME BABY ROBOTS, a large artist cooperative from Madison, WI, is hosting a one-night event featuring a silent auction of small works by tons of artists nationwide, at IGLOO. One stop of many including Memphis, Chicago, LA, SF, and now Portland.
Works start at prices as low as one dollar. A great opportunity to purchase original artwork from good artists for a low price. Not to mention it is a great place to have fun, drink beer on the cheap, and meet awesome people.

Where: Portland, OR at IGLOO on Thursday, July 31st.

Bidding starts @ 8:00 pm and concludes @ 11:00pm.

We Are All Wrong and It's Alright

Gordon Barnes and Mandee Schroer share Igloo this month, two artists united by approach and sensibility but divided by materials. Both Barnes and Schroer enjoy taking the floating scraps of ideas and materials around them and playing matchmaker with them, sometimes with harmonious intent and others with sadistic curiosity. However, Schroer's material interests tend to center around more tactile and physical qualities whereas Barnes prioritizes materials primarily in terms of conceptual potency or perceived symbolism. In terms of tone, Schroer's work often evokes both a quietly playful sense of wonder at finding oneself in open spaces and an unnerving sense of loneliness bordering on ominous. Barnes' work feels more like a dusty old library with the TV and stereo blasting in the midst of a party that only he is at.

Christopher Ross

Christopher's paintings are amazing, and it seems everyone thinks so. Lucky for painting that Chris is around. Looking forward to seeing his work get recognized in Portland on a larger scale.