Silence matters at Montalvo
The significance of empty space is exhibit focus
By Shari Kaplan
The most striking feature of Silence Matters, the latest exhibition to fill the Gallery at Villa Montalvo, is not San Franciscan Eva Bovenzi's oil-on-canvas imagery, even though she offers about two dozen unusually painted images drawn from nature.
What's even more unusual is the interactive drawing project that fills an alcove with several yards of paper that was once crisp and white. It is now slightly rumpled, slightly smudged and thoroughly covered with a graffiti-like array of drawings where past visitors have left their mark.
And that's just the idea, according to gallery director Theres Rohan. Because one of Bovenzi's emphases is the portrayal and significance of empty space--the "silence"--that exists between images, she and Rohan give visitors a chance to create their own spin on this concept. A variety of natural objects similar to those Bovenzi portrays in Silence Matters--leaves, flowers, sticks and seedpods--are spread out on a table, joined by earth-tone pastel crayons.
According to Rohan, everyone is encouraged to use these specimens, which are collected from the Montalvo grounds, as inspirations to add his or her own touches to the drawing project. As more people contribute, less white space remains between each drawing, thus forcing visitors to take more notice of the relationship between imagery and empty space.
After wiping the pastel off their hands with the provided paper towels, visitors can view Bovenzi's paintings, all of which were done between 1997 and 2000. Some, like Three Sunflowers, Still-Life with Eucalyptus Leaf and Still-Life with Feather and Grapevine, portray their namesake objects in a simple yet attractive way. Bovenzi's use of primarily earth tones makes her images look all the more warm and realistic.
Other paintings incorporate a motif Bovenzi calls "the tangle." On various canvases, it may resemble barbed wire, spindly twigs or prickly twine. It almost always shares the canvas with softer and smoother materials for contrast. This can be seen in Tangle with Two Pomegranates, Tangle with Squash Blossom, Tangle with Fig Leaf and others.
An excerpt from her artist's statement offers a glimpse into her creative world: "Though my work has always been based in imagery from the natural world and this series is no exception, these paintings address themselves most deeply to the language of art. They aim to find surprise and meaning in the relationships of color, shapes and gesture."
Silence Matters runs through July 2. A public reception, which includes refreshments and a discussion by the artist, takes place June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. The Gallery is at 15400 Montalvo Road. For more information, call 408.961.5813, or visit www.villamontalvo.org on the Internet.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
