Spiritual
Odyssey Group:
A Tri-Centennial Journey
December 2 - 29, 2005
South Broadway Cultural Center
1025 Broadway SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Opening Reception: Friday, December 9th, 6-8pm
Tel: 505-848-1320
The Spiritual Odyssey
Group was formed in 2001 by its participating artists: Pat Berrett
(photographer), Miriam Foronda (oils and monoprints), Sue Orchant
(silk and mixed media), Veronica Piastuch (oils) and Bethe Sailer
(watercolors).
The Group exhibition includes works depicting the symbiotic relationship
between artist, Creator and viewer. In addition to this show, one
wall will be dedicated the Virgin of Guadalupe.
After their hugely successful "2001:
A Spiritual Odyssey" exhibit at the South Broadway Cultural
Center in Albuquerque , and "The
Spiritual Odyssey Group: Eye Level"
exhibit at Lydia Garcia's Galleria EliasInez in Rancho de Taos, the
group is reuniting for "A TRICENTENNIAL JOURNEY." The Spiritual
Odyssey Group continues to portray the spiritual relationship between
the artist and their concept of Creator as Artist Supreme and the
interconnectedness of all living things. While spirituality is expressed
through diverse styles and art forms, this exhibit focuses on celebrating
the 300th birthday of Albuquerque; it's tradition, enchantment, spirit
and multiculturalism.
This exhibit is called a journey.
Although 300 years have passed, there are many timeless spiritual
qualities of life that remain the same. Spirituality is a way of life
here because the desert fosters a solitary relationship between one's
creator and oneself. In addition, spirituality is very grounded within
the pueblos which surpasses the 300 year mark. The act of creating
is a solitary process as well. Exploring a new land is very similar
to the creative process of the Spiritual Odyssey Group. Most of us
are transplanted artists who came to New Mexico seeking our own personal
"city of gold." Through art we are alchemists who turn the
lead of our everyday life into a personal, magical, spiritual gold.
The creative process is similar to explorers and shamans. It entails
leaving the comfort of what we know to journey into the unknown, relying
on intuition and faith. We search, seek, explore, find, set up new
homes and dream. Albuquerque and New Mexico in general, are places
where dreams become reality if one has the faith and the boldness
to activate dreams. This show will inspire the viewer to reflect upon
his or her own relationship with the physical world and personal vision,
and its expression of the divine as manifested within Albuquerque.
The exhibit links artist, viewer and Creator to each other by a series
of chance and deliberate meetings in a world fluctuating between chaos
and order. "Tricentennial Journey" will be a timeless dance
for those who appreciate the beauty and everlasting qualities of Albuquerque,
New Mexico, our home. We welcome our new Gulf Coast transplants with
our show!
Artist Statements
Pat Berrett
ARTIST STATEMENT - TRICENTENNIAL JOURNEY - The Route 66 Series
The Route 66 series grew out of an exercise in "seeing". Frustrated
by a reliance on technology, I pledged to shoot with only a cheap
"toy camera" while on a weekend trip. The resulting image of old
Route 66 motel sign in Tucumcari, NM struck a chord with me and
with others who saw them. Since then I have documented signs and
memorabilia from the "Mother Road" with a Holga camera - a $20.00
plastic camera from China. Free of any fancy controls, it mimics
the box "Brownie" I used 40 years ago. It forces me to "see" the
subject with out the technical manipulation inherent in today's
electronic cameras. Route 66 was the played and important role
in the development of Albuquerque. Prior to 1937 it came in from
the north (Santa Fe) and continued south to Los Lunas. After 1937
the new alignment was Central Avenue. Many of the Route 66 business
have disappeared along with the neon and other signs that marked
their locations. Even in the few years that I have been working
on this project many of the signs and buildings have been torn
down. Seeing the layer of history that marks the glory days of
Route 66 buried in the clutter of modern life along Central Avenue
has renewd my interest in the history of Albuquerque and New Mexico.
Pat Berrett, Photographer 2521 Madison NE Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-881-0935 Studio plberrett@earthlink.net
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Miriam Foronda
First generation, born in New York City of Honduran ancestry, I have
been painting for 32 years and I am a self-taught artist. As a portrait,
figurative, and abstract artist, I enjoy painting ethnic themes as in
portraits of indigenous people in ceremony, landscapes of the Northern
New Mexico, and monotype printing of abstracts. My dreams and the land
that surrounds me have inspired my work. The meditative state that I
evolve into when I sit before the canvas when I paint adds life and
vitality to the work. What is inside of me and what comes through me
is Spirit manifesting color and images onto the canvas.
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Bethe Sailer
Artist's Statement - Bethe Sailer - 2005 Creating art is how
I breathe, how I express myself best. It is an integral part
of who I am, and fortunately for me, it is the way in which
I am able to make a living. It is an honor to take part in this
exhibition, part of the birthday bash for Albuquerque's Tricentennial.
My work shown here is a series of small celebrations of the
city that is Albuquerque. In addition to creating art, I also
teach the process to both children and adults. It is a way of
bringing out the best in a person, and it is wonderful to watch
as mastery creates self confidence. Personalities bloom, and
it is truly a joy to be part of that personal evolution. Working
as an artist and a teacher in the warmth of the city of Albuquerque,
every day I realize my good fortune to be a part of this environment.
Thank you, Albuquerque, and Happy Birthday!
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