BIRDSONG
a survey of bird-themed work by members of PUNCH
About the exhibit:
"Birds have long been a source of inspiration and aspiration. Their songs are lovely, their behavior is lively and their plumage can stir even the hearts of the most ardent nature haters. This August 2-31, PUNCH Projects takes over the Palace Gallery. The five-member crew explores the realm of local avian life through paintings, sculptures, mixed-media and song. "
The artists:
Renee Adams combines blacksmithing and woodworking in her exploration of bird forms, incorporating stylistic nods to Art Deco and Art Nouveau. Howard Barlow repurposes vintage rifle stocks and taxidermy, embellishing them in his signature brand of kitsch, naiveite and outsider flair. Justin Beckman’s multi-media works showcase both analog and digital technologies in his representations of avian life. Will Bow’s mixed-media paintings colorfully and playfully explore all that we love and admire about our feathered friends. And Justin Gibbens’ unconventional natural science illustrations depict familiar regional bird species in rather unfamiliar ways.
Opening night event!
In addition to this survey of bird-themed works, there will be musical performance at the Opening Reception between 5pm and 8pm on August 2. Justin Gibbens will debut a set of original punk-folk songs about birds, enlisting the talent of the 667s and Common Creature Catcher to deliver the goods.
"Birds have long been a source of inspiration and aspiration. Their songs are lovely, their behavior is lively and their plumage can stir even the hearts of the most ardent nature haters. This August 2-31, PUNCH Projects takes over the Palace Gallery. The five-member crew explores the realm of local avian life through paintings, sculptures, mixed-media and song. "
The artists:
Renee Adams combines blacksmithing and woodworking in her exploration of bird forms, incorporating stylistic nods to Art Deco and Art Nouveau. Howard Barlow repurposes vintage rifle stocks and taxidermy, embellishing them in his signature brand of kitsch, naiveite and outsider flair. Justin Beckman’s multi-media works showcase both analog and digital technologies in his representations of avian life. Will Bow’s mixed-media paintings colorfully and playfully explore all that we love and admire about our feathered friends. And Justin Gibbens’ unconventional natural science illustrations depict familiar regional bird species in rather unfamiliar ways.
Opening night event!
In addition to this survey of bird-themed works, there will be musical performance at the Opening Reception between 5pm and 8pm on August 2. Justin Gibbens will debut a set of original punk-folk songs about birds, enlisting the talent of the 667s and Common Creature Catcher to deliver the goods.
ABOUT PUNCH Projects and Artists
From its 10-year history as a gallery in Seattle, to its current initiative as a rural arts collective, PUNCH Projects has worked to promote visual dialogue between urban and rural art communities. In their ongoing effort to promote artwork that is thoughtful, fresh and contemporary coupled with our desire to further bridge urban rural connections. PUNCH seeks to support the cultural vibrancy of rural art scenes by spurring creative awareness, cross-cultural engagement and economic vitality. In its current iteration, PUNCH occupies the old Thorp fire station, where it operates an art bar with rotating monthly exhibitions and live performances every Saturday.
As an outdoor enthusiast and beanbag botanist, Renee Adams finds immediate inspiration in the flora surrounding her home in central Washington State.When not in her studio, Renee enjoys cultivating an edible and native plant garden, hunting for mushrooms, and exploring wild places.
Howard Barlow is a senior lecturer in 3-D Arts at Central Washington University. Barlow creates mixed-media sculptures independently but also collaborates with his artist wife, Lorraine Barlow. When not teaching or in his studio, Barlow can be found surfing the Washington coast or tending to his hobby farm in the Manastash canyon.
Based around an investigation of the unique characteristics of small-town life and the rural landscape, Justin Colt Beckman’s work explores the dichotomy of urban and rural cultures and their associated stereotypes. Essentially a city boy with country boy tendencies, he uses design, photography and film, site-specific works, and new-media to engage with and better understand his rural surroundings.
Will Bow has been drawing weird stuff since he was very young. Will Bow lives with his wife, son, a bunch of house spiders and a handful of mice in a wooden house on a tree-covered hill on the outskirts of Roslyn. When he’s not dreaming up fictitious ramps to skateboard, he spends his time recreating with his family in the foothills of the Cascades and painting murals.
Justin Gibbens is a central Washington-based painter, illustrator and muralist. He exhibits throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. When not in his studio, Gibbens spends his time spotting birds and chasing after reptilian inhabitants of the shrub-steppe.
From its 10-year history as a gallery in Seattle, to its current initiative as a rural arts collective, PUNCH Projects has worked to promote visual dialogue between urban and rural art communities. In their ongoing effort to promote artwork that is thoughtful, fresh and contemporary coupled with our desire to further bridge urban rural connections. PUNCH seeks to support the cultural vibrancy of rural art scenes by spurring creative awareness, cross-cultural engagement and economic vitality. In its current iteration, PUNCH occupies the old Thorp fire station, where it operates an art bar with rotating monthly exhibitions and live performances every Saturday.
As an outdoor enthusiast and beanbag botanist, Renee Adams finds immediate inspiration in the flora surrounding her home in central Washington State.When not in her studio, Renee enjoys cultivating an edible and native plant garden, hunting for mushrooms, and exploring wild places.
Howard Barlow is a senior lecturer in 3-D Arts at Central Washington University. Barlow creates mixed-media sculptures independently but also collaborates with his artist wife, Lorraine Barlow. When not teaching or in his studio, Barlow can be found surfing the Washington coast or tending to his hobby farm in the Manastash canyon.
Based around an investigation of the unique characteristics of small-town life and the rural landscape, Justin Colt Beckman’s work explores the dichotomy of urban and rural cultures and their associated stereotypes. Essentially a city boy with country boy tendencies, he uses design, photography and film, site-specific works, and new-media to engage with and better understand his rural surroundings.
Will Bow has been drawing weird stuff since he was very young. Will Bow lives with his wife, son, a bunch of house spiders and a handful of mice in a wooden house on a tree-covered hill on the outskirts of Roslyn. When he’s not dreaming up fictitious ramps to skateboard, he spends his time recreating with his family in the foothills of the Cascades and painting murals.
Justin Gibbens is a central Washington-based painter, illustrator and muralist. He exhibits throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. When not in his studio, Gibbens spends his time spotting birds and chasing after reptilian inhabitants of the shrub-steppe.
Renee Adams
"Little Treasure"
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Howard Barlow
"Cocked #4"
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Justin Gibbens
"Overtone"
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Will Bow
"Tweet"
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Justin Beckman
"Stay On Target"
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