In the Curator’s Words is an occasional series that takes a critical look at current exhibitions through the eyes of curators.
When Joshua Rios put out a call for art for the “Natures Narrative” exhibit at Art Scene West gallery, he knew what he was looking for.
“From a gentle breeze and ambiance of a stream to the imposing force of oceans, mountain peaks, and mighty storms, nature speaks to us in ways both subtle and profound, influencing our feelings and thoughts in dramatic ways,” he wrote in the call for art.
Rios invited “artists to share their unique portrayal of the many ways the natural world inspires, nurtures and challenges us — whether through the beauty of landscapes, the diversity of ecosystems, the resilience of wildlife, or the spiritual connections we have to the natural world.”
As he was going through submissions, it struck him that nature-themed art doesn’t have to be so literal. He was, in a way, looking for art that elicited an emotional response.
“From sweeping landscapes and deliberate textures, to reflections on environmental concerns and sheer celebrations of its beauty and resilience, together, the selected works will tell a narrative inside our gallery that will connect us closer to our roots.”
Rios, who owns Art Scene West, talks about “Nature’s Narrative,” a new exhibition at the Seaport Village gallery that’s on display through March 30.
“Elephant” by Joshua Lehmann is part of a new exhibition at Art Scene West gallery in Seaport Village titled “Natures Narrative.” (Art Scene West)
Q: What was the inspiration for this show?
A: When first developing the theme for this nature-inspired exhibition, I originally thought it would only feature more of the classic, landscape-style paintings that we consistently feature in the gallery. This always makes for a good exhibition since it’s a timeless genre. But having already done shows like that in the past, I thought, why not delve deeper into this opportunity? Something I’ve personally enjoyed from these themed exhibitions are the various and new styles of artwork we’ve had the privilege of showing. I didn’t want to put limitations on the outcome, so looking into what makes nature so special, the goal moved away from simply depicting scenery and instead explore the essence of nature, its emotional impact, and the inspiration it provides to each artist individually.
Since nature is not just something we observe visually, I wanted to create a show that communicated the experience nature gives us. With visual art, those sensory and emotional aspects must be communicated through things like mood, color and movement. Rather than focusing on the accuracy and articulation of an art piece and its likeness to the scene, this exhibition aims to highlight our emotional resonance — suggesting the energy of nature and how it makes us feel, not just how it looks. Each of our exhibiting artists bring their own perspective to that experience, and together those viewpoints form the foundation of the show.
Q: As you were curating this exhibition, what artistic filters were you using to choose which artworks to include?
A: Diversity is always an important theme when I’m curating an exhibition. At the same time, there needs to be a clear level of artistic intention and understanding in how an idea is communicated with the viewer. For “Nature’s Narrative,” what caught my eyes were those works that uniquely portrayed an aspect of nature from a recognizable “brush stroke” of the artist. Basically, the artwork should resemble more of the artist’s touch, and their personal experience with the subject matter, than just the subject matter itself. I also tried to envision how likely a piece will become part of a private collection. Can I envision the artwork in a living space, an office or a bedroom?
Naturalism was what struck me the most when first viewing the works. If the piece looked natural, it wasn’t because it was perfectly representational, but because it was suggestive of being created from a natural state by the artist. There’s a superb quality of experience that stands out in some artworks, that exemplify unique techniques and the trained eye an artist utilized in accomplishing their vision. This is what first captures my attention and lends to my understanding of how much a particular artist has accomplished in their career before completing the present artwork before me.
True to its name, “Nature’s Narrative” is about storytelling — how each artist tells their own story of nature through personal experience. I was drawn to works that felt honest and expressive, pieces that contributed to an ongoing observation about how nature moves and inspires us.
“Andy’s Place” by Holly Given is part of a new exhibition at Art Scene West gallery in Seaport Village titled “Natures Narrative.” (Art Scene West)
Q: Did you encounter any works that, upon seeing, you immediately knew that it had to be a part of the exhibit? If so, why?
A: Yes — there are always a few pieces that immediately check all the boxes. These works evoke a strong emotional or sensory response, as if you can almost feel the cold wind, hear the crashing waves, or sense the warmth and joy of a perfect moment in the day.
While reviewing artwork digitally obviously has its limitations, I’m often especially pleased when a piece arrives and completely transforms the gallery space with its presence. Art is such a reflection of human emotion and experience that it truly needs to be seen in person, similar to the way experiencing nature outside is so much more fulfilling than gazing at it through a window. The scale, texture, details and energy of a piece can only be fully appreciated when you’re standing in front of it. But sometimes all of those things can be communicated on-screen, so they initiate that “YES!” reaction.
“Silent Territory” by Joshua Orozco is part of a new exhibition at Art Scene West gallery in Seaport Village titled “Natures Narrative.” (Art Scene West)
Q: What do you hope viewers will take away from seeing these works?
A: Above all, I hope visitors leave with a sense of wonder and satisfaction. Upon entering any art gallery or museum, visitors are consenting to having their imaginations stimulated with new concepts, designs and suggestions. If someone’s day is made just a little more interesting, or their eyes widen before focusing their attention on a piece that attracts them, then I feel we’ve succeeded in offering an experience they couldn’t get anywhere else.
As a child I grew up visiting art galleries and museums, and while I wasn’t a fan of all of what I saw, I never regretted having seen it. Viewing artwork is an experience that the viewer shares with themselves and with others. Internally, a viewer may be challenged, affirmed or unexpectedly put at ease. It can be a mysterious thing as to why an artwork speaks to someone. So I hope viewers will take away a sense of appreciation for these artworks and the artists who created them.
“Splendor” by Natalia Kutova is part of a new exhibition at Art Scene West gallery in Seaport Village titled “Natures Narrative.” (Art Scene West)
Art Scene West presents “Natures Narrative”
When: Through March 30
Where: Art Scene West, Seaport Village, 803 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego
Admission: Free
Phone: 619-724-0167
Online: artscenewest.com