Bonnie Powers and Jeffrey Levin, owners of the multi-faceted Poet and/the Bench lifestyle store and jewelry atelier space at 11 Throckmorton Ave., continue to curate creativity, with ‘Interconnected Opposing Forces,’ an event set for Thursday, October 25 from 3-7pm. The event features a pair of artists via both sculpture and Cut Paper Collage.
Seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interdependent and interconnected. Finding harmony and balance in systems in which the forces are constantly changing, can trip the imagination into innovation gear. Such is the story with the two artists, featured in Poet and/the Bench’s latest exhibit.
Join the artists in person on Thursday, October 25. Or view the work ongoing in their gallery and online.
ELINA PEDUZZI
Jewelry and sculpture artist Elina Peduzzi is fascinated by the subtle, inexplicable connections that bind human beings, animals, plants, our planet, and the wider universe. No wonder this Venezuelan raised, California artist explores interconnectedness with her designs.
Poet and/the Bench are excited to present a first look at Elina’s new sculpture work after an absence in the medium for 7 years. The mixed use retail and gallery space in Downtown Mill Valley have been carrying her sculpturally influenced jewelry collection for two years. “We’ve always wanted to see where her sculpture work would evolve to,” says owner Bonnie Powers, “and asked Elina to explore her craft in a limited series. The pieces she created provoke curiosity and thought.”
During her MFA in Spatial Art, Elina’s focus was more political. She aimed to create instruments of questioning and delved into humanity’s broader concerns, such as human rights, social justice, and climate change. This new body of work, however, is a deeply personal journey of introspection and a celebration of life. In the past, the process of creating the sculptures was more rational and analytical. Now, she tells us, it’s a more free and intuitive expression of her emotions and experiences.
From the artist: “I combine elements of nature, humans, plants, and animals in an object living in my imagination, which is also clearly influenced by my love for surrealism. I’ve thought of marrying concrete and bronze in my head for a long time, and I love it! Bronze, also one of the materials of choice for my jewelry, brings me back to human history, while concrete speaks about modern and contemporary times.” ~ Elina Peduzzi
ROSEMARY CARMEN SMITH
Rosemary grew up on the coast of Northern California (and is a Tam high graduate). As the daughter of artists, creativity was always present in her life, but Rosemary initially took a different career path.
Returning to the artistic roots that were always a part of her, she has pursued a hyper focus on collage. Each morning at 5am she begins. And what transpires is a body of work filled with expression and exploration. Concepting can take weeks, coming up with a foundational idea, aligning on themes and how to bring them to life. Composition is another process. Sourcing imagery, of which Rosemary has very strict criteria to ensure they are of highest archival quality, is a journey of discovery unto itself– locating inspiring books with photography she can consume. Meticulously cutting paper to align with the images is work that one gains deep respect and appreciation for when you look closely at the details, many woven into the base imagery. Returning to composition where gluing micro pieces of paper can risk turning a work into failure, and most often, when her keen eye for bold, colorful, high contrast and playful elements is the captivating result.
“We were attracted to Rosemary’s work immediately. There is a surprise in how she balances realism with the unreal,” says goldsmith and owner Jeffrey Levin.
From the artist, “I felt its power regularly in small, everyday experiences, not just one particular moment. Whether watching my parents create their art, making my own pieces, or visiting galleries and museums, I realized early on the importance of art. It’s a way to communicate without words, explore ideas, and express oneself.” ~ Rosemary Carmen Smith
At Poet and/the Bench, the powerful force of wonder influences their curation and no doubt, the work of their artists. In our own worlds, it awakens a desire to explore, question, learn and rediscover a curiosity mindset. We are excited for you to experience these new works on Thursday, October 25 or following.
Elina Peduzzi: The Call of the Amazon (cement and bronze sculpture) and Eye (bronze jewelry tray)
Rosemary Carmen Smith: