Kim Thoman
Kim Thoman's title is Natural Duality, exploring the concept that opposites are in everything. Her paintings combine the artist's hand and digital images. These two modes of working reflect her interest in the dynamic of dualities, such as nature and culture, the mechanical and the organic, intellect and intuition, life and death. As Thoman creates abstract paintings, she says, "Natural forms hatch out, here and there."
Chronologically, Thoman’s large abstracts led to abstracts with related sculpture placed adjacent to the paintings, and her current work finds the sculptural elements incorporated into the paintings, as in her piece "Entanglement". These sculptures and sculptural elements are created with a combination of 3D printing and welded metal. According to Perter Frank, senior curator of the Riverside Art Museum, Thoman’s "harmony lies in our discovery - or acceptance - of balance between haphazard pairings and contrapositions."
Kim Thoman earned her BA at UC Berkeley, with additional studios at UC Davis, UC Riverside, and San Francisco State University. She has exhibited extensively in California, the Midwest, and on the East Coast.
Entanglement
Emerging Venus - 3
Patricia Qualls
Patricia Qualls' pieces for PMA are called The Dignity of Differences-- paintings and installations that communicate the challenges faced by children with learning differences. Qualls, who holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, created a series of canvases, sculpture, and assemblages that communicate a visual experience on behalf of children who are misunderstood, mislabeled and, eventually, discouraged to the point that they give up on their educations.
The concept for the exhibit was drawn from Quall's experiences with her own son, who has dyslexia and suffered through a traditional school until the sixth grade, when he was able to attend a school that specialized in helping students understand their differences, excell in personal skills, grow in knowledge and develop techniques of self advocacy.
According to The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, one in five people have dyslexia. The vast majority remain unidentified or are unable to get the help they need. This exhibition presents the frustration felt by the student who must migrate through a school system that is unable to address these special needs.
Patricia Qualls exhibits in Sun Valley, Vail, and Palm Desert galleries, and her work is in the Permanent Collection of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.
School Prayer