Exploring the Depths and Heights of Art in the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands Museum of Art is currently hosting a series of compelling exhibits that explore the world above and below the surface. Running from September 26 to December 1, these exhibitions offer a unique opportunity to engage with art that reflects both the beauty and complexity of nature.
“Kelp! Reverberations” – Atrium Gallery
This exhibit brings together the creative talents of Josie Iselin, Betsy Peabody, Ken Pearce, and Jonathan Kawchuk. The installation is designed to immerse visitors in the vibrant world of bull kelp forests, highlighting their ecological significance and aesthetic beauty.
The centerpiece of the exhibit is a maze of deep blue and turquoise cyanotype banners created by Josie Iselin. These banners use sunlight to imprint images of bull kelp and other seaweeds, creating a visual representation of the underwater world. Visitors can experience an innovative soundframe system developed by Ken Pearce in collaboration with Canadian composer Jonathan Kawchuk. This soundscape adds another dimension to the experience, drawing visitors into the depths of the kelp forest.
Betsy Peabody’s sculptures, made from locally foraged bull kelp, complement the visual and auditory elements of the exhibit. Additionally, the atrium wall features mappings and data collected by the Samish Indian Nation, providing insight into the historical presence and decline of bull kelp in the region. This exhibit is supported by Above/Below, the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, and Washington Sea Grant.
“All is a Circle within Me” – Nichols Gallery
Emily McIlroy is the featured artist in this gallery. Her work explores the interconnectedness of existence through two distinct modes of representation: figurative and abstract. Both approaches center on the circle, a universal symbol representing wholeness and unity.
In “Blessings to the Seven Directions,” McIlroy uses geometric forms structured around a Celtic infinity knot. This piece abstractly represents the temporal and eternal planes of existence. The figurative work, “River of Their Passing,” features an overlapping line of caribou, symbolizing the unbroken circle of time and the connection between the living and the beyond.
McIlroy’s works are created using ink and collage on paper, or pastel, colored pencil, and acrylic on gessoed paper. Her art embodies a worldview where all beings and phenomena are deeply connected.
“Complex Simplicity” – North Gallery
Jan Hoy is the featured artist in this gallery. Her abstract sculptural forms reflect a striking simplicity and austere elegance. Hoy’s work balances positive and negative space, with each form representing a three-dimensional answer to a question.
Hoy’s process involves prolonged contemplation of space and structure. She often spends 2-3 years envisioning and sketching her pieces before arriving at the final form. Her favorite works are those that consist of a single shape without any extra adornments or distractions.
The natural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, with their silvery skies and greens and browns, have influenced Hoy’s aesthetic. She primarily uses clay with an iron-oxide finish, but also works with steel and bronze to create her intricate sculptures.
