William Ishmael: Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form: Meditations on the Heart Sutra at the Tom Collom Gallery

On Saturday,  March 24, 2018, I went to the Tom Collom Gallery to see William Ishmael's show Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form: Meditations on the Heart Sutra. The exhibition included works that were two-dimensional paintings, three-dimensional sculptures and assemblages.  The piece under the vinyl lettering is "Wholeness and Fragmentation IX." Wholeness and fragmentation has been a staple theme for the artist since reading David Bohm. The materials used to make this piece is rusted steel plates. He achieved high amounts of texture and different colors by oxidizing the plates. 

 This is the set up of the work presented from the entrance, the gallery is in a U -shape that leads your exploration of the exhibition from here. I thoroughly enjoyed the sculptural works and paintings from this exhibition that reminds me much of minimalism and neo-expressionism.

Upon entering the gallery, the first piece I saw was "All Forms are Impermanent." The repetitive forms, geometric shapes and bold metal material are similar to the aesthetics of minimalists. But the use of geometric shapes on the soft material and oxidation of the metal is similar to the aesthetics of post-minimalism. The contrast of the materials and repetitive rectangular shapes creates balance in the piece.

To the left, "Meditate I" and the right, "Meditate II." The materials used to create these two pieces are sand with latex paint on wood panel and affixed rusted steel square. The heavy materials and simplistic angular forms are similar to those of minimalist works. The oxidation and paint used on the pieces are expressive like neo-expressionists. He has discovered that he has been successful in meditate by making this series. The use of materials were inspired by Antoni Tapies, a Spanish artist known for social commentary and activism.

The painting "Dependent Origination I" is acrylic on canvas. Under the information of the piece, is an explanation for Dependent Origination- "...anything dependent on other factors or conditions, lacks inherent existence." The choice of the paint color makes the material seem like metal and cohesive with the other works in the exhibition. The flow and movement of the piece is similar to neo-expressionism.

Beneath "Dependent Origination I" this piece "Solid Surface - Not What It Seems II," the materials used are a ceramic bowl with black buttons. Next to the information about this piece is an invitation from the artist for the viewers to put your hand into it. Though the surface seems to be solid, it is only an illusion when touched. This was my favorite piece partially because of the fact I was allowed to touch a work of art. But also because the act of touching and interaction with the piece has left me with a thought. The thought of how something can seem to be a certain way but to turn out to be just an illusion.