Artlink Phoenix debuted its 17th annual juried exhibition at Oasis on Grand on Thursday. The exhibit is an annual event put on by the nonprofit organization to present a broad selection of visual art concepts and execution in a unified showcase.
The event received over 50 submissions this year — a new record, according to Artlink Vice President Sarah Levi. Three jurors then selected 17 artists to be on display in the gallery. These artists then contended for the first-, second- and third-place awards given out at the event.
“Our jurors really picked them based on their artistic elements and their artistic statements. Just the meaning behind their work was a big element in their selections as well,” Levi said.
The winner of the exhibition was a joint project by Julie Anand and Damon Sauer. The piece was a set of three photographs from a larger series: “Ground Truth: Corona Landmarks.”
The series depicts Sonoran Desert landscapes with satellite calibration marks superimposed on the skyline.
“We think of it like an archaeological dig,” Sauer said. “We use these sites of observation to observe how the landscape exists.”
The artists said the satellites in question were a part of a CIA and Air Force initiative 50 years ago known as Corona. The series aims to offer its viewers context to both the time period in which Corona was created and the modern day in which these information networks still surround us.
It was this unique concept that the jurors cited as the exhibit’s standout feature.
The jurors were local artist John Tuomisto-Bell, gallery owner Bentley Calverley and chief conservator at ASU Art Museum Dana Mossman Tepper.
Bell said this selection of jurors was intended to combine the city’s available arts outlets by representing artists, art education and galleries in the selection process.
The exhibit doesn’t have a theme, Levi said, but instead aims to bring together disparate elements of Arizona art in a new space that could allow for the art to shine.
Second place was awarded to Lucretia Torva for a more traditional oil-on-canvas work: “Pulling Strings.” This work was selected for its technical execution and realism.
Third place was awarded to Joan Waters for “Ripples,” a set of three welded steel discs painted with patinas.
Waters characterized her work as a way to bring the sensibilities of drawing into 3-D materials. This was one of few 3-D pieces on display at the event.
Waters emphasized the importance of Artlink and its events for artists in Phoenix.
“They are setting the bar high for Phoenix. I really appreciate it,” Waters said. “It’s all volunteer, and it’s a lot of work.”
Oasis on Grand is a repurposed residential space on Grand Avenue. The space was kept intentionally bare in order to put focus on the artwork.
“It’s really allowing artwork to speak for itself because of how raw the interior is,” Levi said.
Artlink Board President Catrina Kahler reiterated that the exhibit as a whole was intended to bring together disparate elements of Arizona art to demonstrate the variety and the unity of art.
“I would hope that a visitor would walk away from this with the recognition and understanding not only of the talent that is here in this community, but the spirit, the energy and the connectedness of everyone coming together,” Kahler said.
Contact the reporter at csmannin@asu.edu
