Aug 05 - 27 2017
Dolphin Exhibit August 2017: Sharon Nickodem, collage and Mike Sorbelli, Kaleidoscope Glass

Dolphin Exhibit August 2017: Sharon Nickodem, collage and Mike Sorbelli, Kaleidoscope Glass

Presented by Gualala Arts at Dolphin Gallery

In her second two-person show at The Dolphin, Sharon Nickodem exhibits her distinctive blend of photography and collage. She feels this combination of forms unlocks subconscious connections and reveals a deeper reality than photographic images by themselves can attain.

Nickodem began her artistic life as a photographer of landscapes and macro subjects, which she especially liked because the close-ups revealed what the viewer often overlooks.  Then, five years ago she attended a collage class at Gualala Arts that opened a new approach to her subject matter.  She has been experimenting with combining the two genres ever since.

She includes materials taken from magazines, her photos, collected mementos and written script from old books and postcards. “The effect is amazing,” she says.  “The assembled image may recall a past event, memory or even a dream, but this process can bring a deeper interpretation to the subject matter than photos alone can achieve.“

Once this month’s 3-D artist, Mike Sorbelli, saw samples of Roman, Egyptian, and glass objects of other ancient cultures, he was inspired to work in the medium himself.  Over 25 years later he is now displaying his creations at The Dolphin Gallery.

Most interesting is the process Sorbelli calls “Kaleidoscope Glass.”  It is a labor-intensive method that requires skill in shaping bars of glass, an eye for color and design, and a lot of patience. To complete a single piece requires over 100 hours not counting the time needed to design and cut the pieces and it requires knowledge of both fusing and casting techniques. Sorbelli pays careful attention to the light source so that the same piece will have a dramatically different appearance when seen from different perspectives.

Each one-of-a-kind geometric pattern is reminiscent of the patterns one sees in a kaleidoscope or of the rose windows in medieval cathedrals.  For Sorbelli this process can also trigger interesting variations that change the patterns and break the symmetry in evocative ways.  In addition to his “Kaleidoscope Glass” Sorbelli fashions pendants, lamps and even night lights.

Admission Info

free

Dates & Times

2017/08/05 - 2017/08/27

Additional time info:

Reception will have appetizers and wine, a chance to meet the artists.

Location Info

Dolphin Gallery

39114 Ocean Drive, Cypress Village, Gualala, CA 95445