By SALINA POST
A representation of the presence of pattern throughout our lives is the featured art exhibition for May at The Flower Nook.
You can check out Sean Christopher Ward's work with patterns - Chromatic Hallucinations - during May First Friday: Art at The Nook, which is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Friday in The Flower Nook, 208 E. Iron Avenue.
Additionally, The Flower Nook's First Friday event will include the unveiling of Grieving Mary, a bronze statue by Steve Hoffman. Participants also will be introduced to Spa Luxuries by Ashley's Crafted Creations, be able to sample Kansas food by Susie's Sprinkles, and enjoy the sweet sounds of Don Wagner, in addition to browsing the works of 21 artisans.
Sean Christopher Ward
Ward is "an interdisciplinary artist focusing his efforts of painting in the style of op art, with major influences from Masters of the movement, like Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely, who utilize flat design to create depth and kinetic movement through strict hard edges and the utilization of masterfully placed colors side by side or next to negative space to keep the works constantly moving within the optics of the viewer," according to his biography. Ward's art is in more than 800 permanent and private collections throughout the world, including Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Morocco, Japan, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the US Virgin Islands.
Chromatic Hallucinations
In his artist's statement, Ward wrote, "Chromatic Hallucinations is a body of work that focuses on the ideals of pattern. It can represent many different things throughout humanity. The people, the beliefs they follow, the natural world around you, the history of subjects and the traditions that have been followed. Different colors and shapes vary meanings throughout different cultures, but the idea is carried down from generation to generation. From birth to death, pattern is a part of everyday life and cultural practice. The drive to recognize and form patterns can be from a glimpse into curiosity, discovery of new ideas and experimentation through everyday life."
Other Salina Downtown First Friday events
●Opening reception for artist Ghazal Ghazi, 5-7 p.m., Salina Art Center, 242 S. Santa Fe Avenue
READ: Ghazi exhibition at art center includes First Friday reception
●Reception for artist Chris Jaworski, 5-7 p.m., Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue
●Local Group Show featuring artwork by Sam Beck, Hevan Miller, Francelle Reeder, Christopher Riley, Cody Sanders, and Jamie Flaherty, 5-8 p.m., Subvert Studio, 116 E. Iron Avenue