A Celebration of Home

Letter from the Curator

Art, for so many, is a place of solace, of understanding, and delight. Historically, both viewer and creator come together often centuries apart in this exchange, and the dialogue continues and repeats. Each work is the physical manifestation of a moment, a feeling, or philosophy that took a lifetime to create. Through each brushstroke, the artist teaches a new way of seeing the world and challenges a new understanding of our surroundings. With millions of Americans now working from home and our daily routines potentially narrowed and ultimately shifted in some sort, there is an opportunity to explore our environments and become more familiar with our surroundings; for we are the creators of these spaces, and they are a physical manifestation of ourselves and our histories. Many of us chose to fill our homes with objects of beauty: art or photographs adorn the walls. Yet, just as a single piece of art is constructed over a lifetime, a home is the culmination of many factors, natural and built.

As the days have gotten longer and spring's unpredictable weather continues to surprise, light filters dramatically into our homes. The ephemera of a casted shadow on the wall is pure pleasure. In BMoA's current exhibition One Night in California: Contemporary Nocturnes, light plays a primary role in each of the paintings, for as painter David Hines states, "light reveals all, even light itself." In Kurt Solmssen's painting, Rebecca and Lauren, an idyllic scene is revealed by a wash of afternoon light. The two figures, presumably mother and child, potentially await the arrival of a guest who will undoubtedly bring relief or simply break up their day. The painterly gesture of the artist and the playful palette composed of perfectly balanced tones convey a nostalgia for the everyday. 

The value and celebration of outdoor spaces surrounding our homes have increased, a walk around the neighborhood, a meal enjoyed on a porch, or a gardening project that had been put off, all find new meaning with our narrowed surroundings. The beauty and satisfaction of sunlight on the skin is perfectly depicted in Jo Ann Callis' Black Sun Photograph. As the Kern County summer heat approaches, there will inevitably be many backyards filled with a similar sight. 

While many transition to working from home, spaces are created which encourage productivity and creativity; rooms in our house are transformed with a new purpose. Meanwhile, for the working artist, quarantine might not feel much different than normal life, working from a home studio day-in and day-out, in solitude. In Studio Vista by Edward Reep, the drafting table and painter's tools in the foreground are underwhelmed by the kaleidoscopic colors and shapes that fill the space, giving us a hint at the significance in which our surroundings allow us to tap into the limitless depths of our imagination. 

With more time on our hands, many are discovering an often-overlooked room or a corner in their home. This space could provide the perfect setting for a phone call with a loved one or a space to explore interests formerly pushed aside for the sake of time. It is in these quiet moments of solitude, reading a book or daydreaming, that we find the time to explore our thoughts and our own minds more deeply. In Girl with Pink Hair, Suhas Bhujbal celebrates a moment of solace. Bhujbal, who grew up in India and now lives in the Bay Area of California, understands the value in these moments. In the bustle of city life, there is amplified importance to stillness and a necessity to escape amidst societal chaos. 

Ultimately, a home is a luxury and, most fundamentally, a shelter in which not all have the opportunity to find comfort. Artist Javier Carillo uses the imagery of the Mexican Loteria game to tell the story of his family's journey to the United States in hopes of finding a better life.

Art historians and art appreciators alike often celebrate art as the great teacher of past histories and other's experiences, but it is in art's ability to unite where its high power lies. Beauty, light, color, emotion, safety, and creativity are all universal to the human experience. For better or for worse, we are all adjusting to a new standard. We hope during this time you can find beauty and joy revealed through these artists' lessons and let us all continue to celebrate the power of art to collectively enhance our lives and our homes. 

Rachel Magnus
Curator
Bakersfield Museum of Art