Sarina Villareal, Traces: A Collection of Paintings that Investigates Decay Theory

Presented by Sugarhouse Gallery | 2160 S Highland Drive, Salt Lake City 84106
Two Artist Receptions | Friday, Sept. 13 and Friday, Oct. 11 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
On View from September 12 to October 31, 2013 | Mon 11 am to 4 pm, Tues through Sat. 11 am to 7 pm

 

Salt Lake City, UT – Beginning on September 12 and running through October 31, 2013, Sugarhouse Gallery, sponsored by Artistic Framing Co., will present Sarina Villareal’s latest abstract works in a show entitled Traces. Traces is a presentation of the artist’s experience with scholarly learning and the rendered effects of temporal decay.

Sarina Villareal explores the outcome of memory degradation in her most recent body of abstract paintings she calls the Garden series. Villareal begins her process by studying the physiology of a botanical in order to create a neuro-chemical “memory trace” of the plant. Some time later, Villareal paints a ‘portrait’ of the floral working from solely from that memory. Due to what psychologist Edward Thorndike calls “Decay Theory,” recollection of finer aspects begin to diminish almost immediately compelling Villareal to create a canvas on which a foggy environment both engulfs and reveals details of a loosely captured floral.

“I strive to recreate the floral just as it begins to fade from my memory,” explains Villareal. “There is a perfect span of time when I have enough retained information to capture a likeness with a few details before my memory has completely faded.”

Artistic Framing Co. will host two receptions coinciding with the Sugarhouse Art Walk this fall. The opening reception will be Friday September 12th and another artist reception Friday, October 13th 2013 from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm.

Sinking into the Fog

Submerged
Overwhelmed
Emerging
Buoyant

These are all subjects I try to address in my figurative work. It is the contradiction of an introspective state of churning and physical state of suspension. It is you and I slipping between awareness and thought.

Introspection is associated with specific neural activity that differs from outer perception.  At the onset of introspection, you feel your mind sinking and your eyes seem to fog over as the tiny lights of brain activity move from the front to the back of your brain. You won’t remember exiting the freeway and turning left at the light, but you did. It is a phenomenon that most will agree is unique to humans and is a spiritual or emotional talent.

It is also something not easily captured in a figurative painting, but I’m going to keep trying.

Figurative Work >

Sarina Villareal Ehrgott to be 2013 Utah Arts Festival Juror

Sarina Villareal Ehrgott has been selected to be on one of four booth juries for the 2013 Utah Arts Festival. As the Marketing Director for the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and contemporary painter, Sarina has been apart of Salt Lake City and Park City’s art scene since moving from Houston, TX in 2008.

With a keen understanding of marketing techniques as well as an extensive background in studio arts, Sarina will provide a unique approach to viewing, understanding and evaluating the artists’ booths as a whole.

“Not only is it is an honor and a responsibility, but an opportunity to be inspired by so many talented people” she says.

About the Utah Arts Festival
The Utah Arts Festival is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah with attendance hovering over 80,000 each summer. Having garnered numerous awards internationally, nationally and locally, the event remains one of the premiere events that kicks off the summer in Utah each June. The mission of the Utah Arts Festival is to promote the arts and enhance the quality of life in Utah through the production of an annual outdoor, multi-disciplinary event in downtown Salt Lake City.

About Sarina Villareal Ehrgott
Sarina Villareal lives and works in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her work has been represented in solo and group shows throughout Salt Lake and Park City and is represented by 15th Street Gallery in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sarina is also the Marketing Director for the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art where she concentrates on the brand strengthening, outward voice, and comprehensive marketing strategies for the only contemporary art museum in Utah. To see Sarina Villareal Ehrgott’s work visit: www.sarinavillareal.com and www.15thstreetgallery.com.

The Psychology of Memory, As I Remember It.

I have always been interested in psychology and fascinated with how a lump of curly tissue in our skulls can essentially make up our entire emotional and cognitive being. We as humans are outwardly associating with the world and others around us while internally reviewing information we gather, remembering tasks to complete and repeating songs simultaneously. Evoking what psychologist Edward Thorndike termed “decay theory” I have been using myself as a subject in experiments with memory through my abstract art.

What is Decay Theory?
Put simply, decay theory proposes that memory fades with time. Easy enough. But there is more to it: when we obtain new information it is lightly placed upon our minds as a neurochemical ‘memory trace.’ If the new information is rehearsed than it becomes a more solid memory and therefore more available for retrieval, if it is not rehearsed then it fades and is eventually forgotten. Alphanumeric series 17-36A. There is one inconsistency among researchers. They disagree whether memories fade with time, decay theory, or because we are constantly absorbing new information that interrupts our process of remembering; ‘interference theory.’

Without looking, can you recall the alphanumeric series I snuck into the text?
That’s interference theory.

How Does This Relate to My Artwork?
I study the physiology of a flower, often over the course of a week and than I put away all the information. A couple days later, I attempt to capture a likeness of the botanical in my studio. Because I work with the intention of allowing decay and interference to effect the painting, no outcome is incorrect. It really becomes the marriage of neuro-science and botany (with artistic liberties)… but more on that another time.

See my abstract work at www.sarinavillareal.com/abstract/

Abstract Painter Sarina Villareal To Be Featured in ‘RAW’ at The Complex June 20th

[I DECLINED THE OFFER]

Sarina Villareal, an abstract painter living and working in Salt Lake City has been hand-picked to showcase in RAW:Natural Born Artists in their presentation of ‘Kaleidoscope’ inside the Grand @ the Complex on June 20th from 8 PM to Midnight.

Described as “the ‘Cirque Du Soleil’ of the underground,” RAW is an independent organization spotlighting emerging artist from all genres of art including independent film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, hairstylists, makeup artists and more. After having great success in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Denver, RAW launched it’s Salt Lake City enterprise last year.

‘Kaleidoscope’ will feature a film screening, musical performance, fashion show, art gallery, performance art and a featured hairstylist and makeup artist making an artistic circus of creativity. There will be a cash bar and the dress code is cocktail attire.

The first time I heard of RAW was by an accidental Internet stumble; it looked interesting and a completely different showcase concept than I had ever been involved in. I applied and received an acceptance call in the same week,” Says Villareal. “I’m nervous and excited; I can’t wait to be apart of the flurry.”

 

About the artist
Sarina Villareal was born in 1977 and holds an AS in graphic design and BFA in painting  from the University of Houston. Since leaving an award-winning career in graphic design and relocating to Salt Lake City in 2008, she has been a participating artist in many art festivals including the Kimball Park City Arts Festival and has been selected to be a part of several group and a solo gallery shows in Utah and California. Recent publications include ‘Studio Visit’ magazine and ‘International Contemporary Artists.’ Villareal is represented by 15th Street Gallery in Salt Lake City, UT. To see her work visit: www.sarinavillareal.com.

Villareal Included in National and International Publications Releasing This Spring

Salt Lake City, UT based abstract painter Sarina Villareal has been juried into two highly regarded publications scheduled to release this spring; Studio Visit Magazine, volume 21 and International Contemporary Artists volume VI.

Exploring botanical morphology and paying homage to Psychology’s “Decay Theory” Houston-native, Salt Lake-based painter, Sarina Villareal recreates floral structures based on memory alone in her Garden series. Each painting is created in a manner reminiscent of action art in effort to quickly transcribe her studies of the botanical before the neurochemical “memory trace” disintegrates.

My work is something of an experiment in memory,” says Villareal. “I study the physical makeup of my subjects through visuals and text, than put away all reference materials and attempt to translate my memory of the plant on to canvas before I can no longer recall details.

Villareal gains her visual inspiration and styling from modern heroes like Cy Twombly and Franz Klein and contemporary painters Jenny Saville and Susan Rothenberg.

About the artist
Sarina Villareal lives and works in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her work has been represented in solo and group shows throughout Salt Lake and Park City and she has been featured in charitable art auctions. Villareal is represented by 15th Street Gallery in Salt Lake City, Utah. To see more work visit: www.sarinavillareal.com and www.15thstreetgallery.com.

About Studio Visit
Studio Visit is a series of juried artist books presenting all two- and three- dimensional media. Each high quality volume of Studio Visit features approximately 150 artists, who have been selected by professional curators from a pool of over 1,000 submissions.

About International Contemporary Artists
International Contemporary Artists is a series of art books aiming to connect artists and the art world in a direct and effective way. Artist selection is carefully made by a team of qualified jurors so as to ensure quality standards. International Contemporary Artists distribution is made internationally through large wholesalers and e-shops, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. The book is also distributed without any cost to major galleries and museums throughout the U.S and Europe.