If you're keen on fleeting art forms and the idea of ephemeral creation, the latest exhibition at the Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts (CCA) might be just your cup of tea - or rather, your splash of ink. Dubbed "The Art of Letting Go," this collaborative monosilk exhibition spearheaded by curator Edgar “8ahau” Fernandez, involves 11 Phoenix-area artists, as revealed in a recent announcement by the gallery. Each artist had to work within the constraints of this unique medium, which, for the uninitiated, is a one-shot deal; they make a print by dragging a squeegee across a silkscreen prepped with their drawing. Ranging from experts to newbies in printmaking, they all shared the same starting line: a specific type of pencil and crayon to sketch out their fleeting masterpieces on the screen.
Now, to those who think a squeegee and a screen sound too simple to be true, it's all about the technique and the impending finality. With mono silk, you get one shot, and whatever comes out is your exhibit A. Done. No do-overs. One might argue that these artists, by having to let go of their perfectionism, draw a dotted line straight back to the days of finger painting in kindergarten – messy, unbound, and oddly liberating. According to a statement obtained by the gallery, Fernandez found the process both "a fun learning experience" and "nostalgic," invoking his printmaking classes at ASU, as reported by the City of Chandler website.
When it comes to the why and how of this exhibit, it's a bit of a throwback. Vision Gallery Curator, Jillian Nakornthap disclosed in a statement that the concept sprouted during a studio visit with Edgar a few years back. Fernandez's monosilk prints, usually overshadowed by other printmaking techniques, sparked the idea of a show to center on this underappreciated art form. Nakornthap saw potential in a medium often left in the shadows.
"The Art of Letting Go" is on display at the CCA Gallery, located at 250 N. Arizona Ave, until January 10, 2025. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., with free admission. The closing reception will be on January 10, 2025, from 6-8 p.m., and while it's free, RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite.
Edgar “8ahau” Fernandez, an award-winning artist from Phoenix, Arizona, is known for his Xicano identity and artistic work. The Vision Gallery and Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery showcase over 300 regional artists with rotating exhibits and support the Vision Kids program through art sales. For more information, visit Edgar “8ahau” Fernandez's website or contact Jillian Nakornthap directly.
