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Cultural Events
The Main Gallery
1018 Main St., Redwood City
650-701-1018
Wed.–Fri. 11–4, Sat.–Sun. 10–3, and by
appointment
www.themaingallery.org
“My Collection,” oil on panel, 12" x 16", 2010, by Ellen
Chong
“Ma Perkins’ Egg-beater,” dry-point print, 16" x 22",
2010, by Diana Herring
www.SpectrumMagazine.net
Everything Has a Story: Objects of Life
The exhibition “Everything Has a Story” features
two artists, Ellen Chong and Diana Herring, and
runs through April 25 at The Main Gallery. With
two very different approaches to art, Chong and
Herring present prints and paintings that tell
stories of everyday objects used in everyday life.
The gallery will host a reception for the artists
on Saturday, April 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.,
in conjunction with Redwood City’s Second
Saturday Artwalk — the first of the 2010 season.
Herring depicts animals and the human
figure in a graphic, gestural manner. Usually
a printmaker, she created works for this show
using mixed-media techniques such as collage
and printing on commercial wallpaper. Chong
does meticulous depictions of still-life subjects in
oil paint, which she refers to as “object studies.”
When, by chance, they found themselves showing
together, Chong and Herring decided to explore
their differences. Chong’s work is “object
oriented,” focused on static images, fixed in
time. Yet the paintings themselves are not static
but revive memories, so that each viewer may
bring their own narrative to the object depicted.
The “stories” that Herring develops in her work
concern the complicated relationship — the
conversation — we have with the “stuff” with
which technology has surrounded us.
Herring says, “As I played with some of Ellen’s
subjects — egg-beaters, skates, cameras — new
ideas and inspiration came to me. For example,
egg-beaters brought back memories of the radio
soap operas of my childhood ‘on the farm,’
featuring the wise, long-suffering Ma Perkins.”
Chong’s piece depicting a pair of skates became
a meditation for Herring on not only childhood
pleasures, but also modern problems such as
the difficulty of keeping up with our ever more
rapidly changing technology.
After exploring still-life objects, Herring
returned to the simplified figure in a series of
prints called “Falling Figures.” Even though the
figures are falling, they are not afraid!
To help engage the viewer in a dialogue with
their pieces, Chong and Herring have posted
“stories” about each piece of art. The artists hope
that the bits and pieces of storyline will encourage
people to think more about their work. Chong
says, “I fully intend to impart personalities into
the static objects in my paintings.”
The artists have put together a show in which
two very different approaches to art are presented,
yet common ground is readily apparent. We
should all be so lucky to be unafraid to address
our differences. Come to the opening and meet
the artists and enjoy their work. It’s a wonderful
chance to ask questions and enjoy hors d’oeuvres.
The Main Gallery, an artists’ cooperative with
22 members, showcases the work of some of the
best local talent in the Bay Area. The gallery is
located at the corner of Main and Middlefield in
the historic yellow Victorian cottage. The gallery
is open Wednesday through Friday. For more
information, hours and directions, see www.
themaingallery.org or call 650-701-1018.
‘I Love Books’
Fundraiser a Success
N
early 100 guests gathered
recently at the Fair
Oaks Library with one
purpose — to raise funds for
new books, English language
audiocassettes, magazines and
DVDs. Hosted by the Redwood
City Library Foundation, the event
brought special attention to the
needs of the library that serves
predominantly Latino immigrants in
the North Fair Oaks Neighborhood.
By the end of the night, more than $11,000 was
raised to go toward the foundation’s Fair Oaks
campaign. In addition, nearly $18,000 was raised
prior to the event through sponsorships by local
businesses.
“The recession has brought about an
increase in usage at all of our libraries, but the
increase is dramatic at the Fair Oaks Library,”
said foundation Co-President John Blake.
“Consequently, materials are in short supply”.
Proceeds of the “I Love Books” event provided
a good boost to the foundation’s campaign to
raise $250,000 for the Fair Oaks Library. In less
than a year and a half, Redwood City Library
Foundation board members have raised $135,000
for the collection. The foundation has begun to
release funds so that critical materials can be
purchased immediately.
Major sponsors of the event were Hannig
Law Firm, Pete and Paula Uccelli Foundation,
David B. and Edward C. Goodstein Foundation,
Recology, San Mateo Credit Union, Provident
Credit Union, Kaiser Permanente, Stanford
University, DMB Saltworks, Sheriff’s Youth
Foundation and Latino Council of Redwood City.
For information on how to support the Fair
Oaks Library Campaign for Books, please contact
Executive Director Georgi LaBerge at 650-780-
7045 or glaberge@redwoodcity.org.