Worlds Apart

Sculpture and paintings by Chris Palmatier
and ceramic sculpture by Addiam Tsehaye

Opening Artist Reception April 30th, 6-9pm
with solo acoustic guitarist Tom  Lattanand preforming live
Show runs 4/18/2011 through 6/04/2011  

From vastly different experience there can be the surprise of commonality. Both artists come from disparate origins--geographically, culturally and artistically --but there is a profound similarity in their artistic expression, even though their mediums and styles seem at first to be very far apart.

Chris Palmatier creates images that can both puzzle and punctuate our minds with new patterns leading us on an unknown path. Likewise, Addiam Tsehave turns our eyes and thoughts along new visual twists that we cannot resist, enjoy the journey.

Chris Palmatier

Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Chris Palmatier has called the Bay Area home since receiving his BFA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996. Working with both minimal, geometric abstraction and expressive gesture, Chris' work in sculpture and painting centers around the ways information systems and technology affect our concepts of memory, emotion, and language. Visual cues from graphic and industrial design, typography, and
architecture combine to present the viewer with a stream of references and signs, a dare-to-decode as the primary motive.
Chris lives and works in Oakland, CA, making art, doing design, and writing code. chispalmatier.com 

Addiam Tsehaye

Born in Asmara, Eritrea, Addiam Tsehaye currently lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. Addiam received her BFA in Spacial Arts from San Jose State University in 2008. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Addiam's recent work reflects her childhood experience of the Eritrean civil war and her interest in the cultural arts of her homeland. She creates large scale ceramic sculptures referencing traditional crafts and objects used by indigenous people around the world. Addiam's recent work tells the stories of the displaced; exile, refugee camps, world hunger and the hardship these people must often face throughout their journeys.  Clay is one of the oldest naturally occurring materials used throughout the centuries.  She uses clay because it allows her to leave her mark on the objects she creates while expressing her thoughts and feelings about the subject.  addiamino.com

About the opening night music:

Tom Lattanand
Known for his captivating guitar style and compositions, Tom Lattanand brings forth a sound that is bold and expressive. His solo guitar performances display a unique mastery of the instrument while moving audiences through beautifully subtle and high energy music.  tomlattanand.com