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Harum Scarum Tumult by David Ball
111 Minna Gallery is pleased to present Harum Scarum, a group exhibition that will include an impressive collection of 20 collage/mixed media works on hand built wood panel by San Francisco-based artist, David Ball. In this latest series of work, Ball depicts the pursuit of happiness through a visual narrative that reflects on his personal transcendence from a place of emotional darkness to a place of light. The opening reception for Harum Scarum will be held at 111 Minna Gallery on February 2, 2012 from 5pm til late and will also feature the work of two other California artists: Jesse Balmer of San Francisco and Katherine Brannock of San Diego. "Sometimes I am commenting on reality. Sometimes I am escaping it. The work is kind of a discourse between those things." – David Ball David Ball’s practice evolves from a place of continual change, embracing the to achieve a sense of order. His process begins roughly, with quick, abstract and gestural under paintings that gradually evolve into an elaborate and well-defined composition through the artist’s “call-and-response” style of working. Ball’s personal life greatly informs his process and the themes behind his imagery. Throughout his life, he experienced a series of extreme shifts in his psycho-emotional state of being that took him through periods of emotional highs which inevitably turned to lows that resulted in paranoia, aggression and depression. His willingness to transcend the chaos saved his life and was due in part to being open to taking medication and in part due to his personal resolve to trust in the love and kindness of someone close to him. While Ball’s earlier work was darker, more brooding and discussed themes of conflict without much concern for resolution, the changes he’s made in his personal life have crossed over to his creative life. Ball’s latest work seeks to engage the viewer in a discourse that he hopes conveys joy and inspiration. The work for Harum Scarum celebrates color and character through vibrant layers of acrylic paint, colored pencil and collage that unite to form otherworldly scenes of mythical creatures and fantastically surreal landscapes that invite viewers to share in the artist’s wonder and fascination at the human pursuit of happiness. David Ball is a collage/mixed media artist. His interests range from observed relationship dynamics and social commentary to more introverted personal works, all in surreal, other worldly landscapes driven by character and narrative.