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3/6/2009

Lorna Marsh and Scott Ashley

Aldo Castillo Gallery, Chicago

CHICAGO, Illinois (May 29, 2009) ­- Aldo Castillo Contemporary is pleased to present "Critical Times Again: Recent Works by Lorna Marsh and Scott Ashley." Aldo Castillo, the curator, states, "This exhibition explores the personal and social disruptions typical of our troubled times. It demonstrates the power of art to confront vital issues of the day."

Lorna Marsh's recent work combines symbolism, surrealism, and expressionism to examine the destructive relationships between western and nonwestern countries. Several pieces use the Disney icon Mickey Mouse to symbolize the harm the US has wreaked on other countries and the US's deafness to the global cries of protest. In "She is Coming to America," a model of a giant nude woman looms over an idyllic setting, signifying another destructive relationship: prostitution.

Scott Ashley states, "My sculptures and drawings for this exhibition focus on crisis at an individual level - delusions and psychological trauma brought on by stress from the outside world. In this time of great socio-economic uncertainty, a person is subject to many trials and transformations. These sculptures and drawings are visual manifestations of those critical moments."

Aldo Castillo says, "Art is especially valuable during critical times. I don't simply mean that art is a good investment in a slumping global economy, even though that's true. Art helps us reflect on our inner lives, our personal relationships, our society, and our world. It helps us see what's valuable and what's destructive - what we need to cultivate and what we need to change."

Castillo ­­- who is not only a curator, but a social activist - states that art galleries can play an important role in fostering a sense of community and promoting justice. "Of course, art galleries provide a public space to appreciate beauty and encounter challenging ideas. But art galleries can also connect us with other members of the community. This is especially significant during difficult times. Finding people who share our interests can lift our spirits and empower us to work together to change society."

Since art plays so many crucial roles, it's essential that we support it, especially during a recession, Castillo states. "People can support art in different ways. Gallery owners like me can exhibit art. Those with the financial means can purchase it. All of us can view and discuss it, and reflect on its meaning for our personal lives and our social and political institutions."

Castillo believes it's vital to support local artists. "The public is understandably drawn to famous international artists. But it's also important to support local artists. Many of them are very talented." Castillo says he makes a point of showcasing local artists in his galleries and his exhibitions. Both artists featured in the current exhibition, Marsh and Ashley, live in the Chicago area.

Lorna Marsh
Lorna Marsh has had solo shows at the Florida Museum of Hispanic and Latin American Art, Miami, Florida; the Jacobo Borges Museum, Caracas, Venezuela; and the João Ferreira Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa, among others. Marsh was born in South Africa and currently lives in the US.

Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley's work has exhibited at the Life Bomb Gallery, Berlin, Germany; Gallery 417, Washington, DC; Puck Gallery, New York, New York; Art Not/Terminal Gallery, Seattle, Washington, among others. Scott has a Master of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, New York.

Opening Reception Thursday, June 4, 2009 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Aldo Castillo Gallery
675 N. Franklin St. 312, Chicago

stampa

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