Solo show for local artist
KELOWNA — Penticton artist Alex Ross just held her first solo show at Studio 111 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna last week. The show “Immersion” was a sensory dive into the wonders of the ocean. Beautifully curated and guided by Alex, the show literally immersed art lovers in the sounds, scents, tactile experiences, tastes and visual beauty of ocean life.
After downing little shots of sweet and salty magic (no alcohol allowed!), we were then delighted by the sensual feel of wet stones in miniature rock pools, the ethereal light strings of the electric jellyfish and the silvery school of fish that seemed to swim across the canvas as we moved past the paintings.
Gallery goers then examined the intricate details of ocean floor dwellers depicted in wood burnings, sashayed through schools of hanging starfish, and enjoyed the motion of intricately hand made kelp being fanned by the artist.
Scents of the ocean meanwhile enhanced the experience from delightful aromatherapy wafting through the magical space.
Before being treated to the finale, we spent some time with seriously sinister sharks, beautifully worked in black and white acrylica and oils, with hidden details once again being revealed as the viewer moved past the magnificent ocean creatures.
Last but not least, the lights were dimmed and gallery goers were treated to a video of underwater life with a soundtrack that drew us into the liquid aqua of the Caribbean ocean as seen from both the photographers and the freediver’s viewpoints.
As the soothing sensual images flowed by us, spritzes of cool scented water dewed on our faces — true immersion!