Stories in Pigment and Metal
Photos Provided by the Artists
TED GALL AND WRONA GALL
In a collaboration curated with finesse by Sung-Hee Son, cousins Ted and Wrona Gall are set to present their genius at the prestigious bG Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. Their exhibition, aptly titled “Stories in Pigment & Metal,” is a convergence of their respective journeys. Ted’s sculptural narratives and Wrona’s colorscapes offer a dual exploration of form, substance, and the ethereal. As Ojai Studio Artists, the Galls have long been integral threads in the cultural fabric of Ojai, known for their distinctive contributions to the local art scene. Now, they join forces to extend their influence, bringing a piece of Ojai’s creative spirit to the vibrant art community of Santa Monica.
The bG Gallery, with its reputation for dissolving the barriers within the art world, provides the perfect backdrop for the Galls’ collaborative exhibition that reflects years of individual growth. These two very different artists. Ted Gall’s sculptural masterpieces merge the terrestrial with the fantastical, offering stoic figures in cosmic landscapes. Wrona Gall’s paintings, ethereal and charged with emotion, transform wooden panels into windows gazing out into Ojai’s skies. Together, their works juxtapose solidity with fluidity, the abstract with the tangible, and the personal with the universal.
Ted Gall, an esteemed figure on the Ojai Studio Artists tour, is recognized for his monumental workspace and the popularity of his sculptures in downtown Ojai galleries. His expertise in the lost wax casting process has resulted in over fifty years of creating thought-provoking sculptures that delve into the realms of the cosmic and the mythical. His new collection is a testament to his mastery, merging human and animal forms with natural elements reinterpreted through his artistic lens. The sculptures, set on bases of Red Gum Eucalyptus and black granite, invite viewers into an allegorical world where the stoic faces of his figures suggest narratives of redemption and humor against a backdrop of wild, mysterious adornments.
Wrona Gall, now an Ojai local after a significant career in Chicago, draws her inspiration from the ever-changing vistas of the Ojai landscape. Her work is a tribute to the natural beauty surrounding her, reflected in her atmospheric paintings that resonate with the intensity of the sky. Having abandoned brushes for direct manipulation of pigment with her hands, she creates Turner-esque veils of color on wooden panels, bringing forth stormy and serene skies alike.
Ted Gall’s “House of Wisdom,” a highlight of the exhibit, presents a winged male torso supporting a multi-tiered structure, metaphorically inviting the viewers to seek solace and contemplation. Wrona’s “A Summer’s Day” captivates with its luminous expanse of cloud-filled skies, promising a sensory experience that transcends the visual to touch upon the sublime.
“Stories in Pigment & Metal” is an invitation to explore the multifaceted layers of experience and expression. For the Ojai aficionados, it’s a proud moment to see local talents shine in the broader art world, and for the uninitiated in Los Angeles, it’s an opportunity to witness the rich artistic spirit that thrives just beyond the cityscape.
The opening reception promises to be an evening of revelation and dialogue, with the artists in attendance. The exhibit is poised to run from November 11th until December 5th, 2023, offering a window into the worlds conceived by Ted and Wrona Gall—worlds where metal reflects life and pigment captures the ephemeral beauty of existence.
For those who have followed the Galls’ evolution through the Ojai Studio Artists tours, this exhibition is a testament to their art’s growth and enduring allure. And for those new to their work, it’s an open door to the transformative power of their artistic narratives.
Show dates: November 11th to December 5th, 2023
Reception: Saturday, November 11th, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: bG Gallery at Bergamot Station
Hours: 12:00 - 5:00 PM, Tuesday – Saturday
