Artist brings 'Totems and Icons' to Corrigan Gallery

The Corrigan Gallery is currently presenting the first solo show of works by Paul Mardikian entitled 'Totems and Icons,' opens tonight with a reception 5-8:30 p.m. at 62 Queen Street.

The show was hung the first of the month and will be on display through Feb. 29.

Mardikian is a talented handler of history. He has brought the Confederate submarine Hunley's artifacts back to life, as well as those of the Titanic and the Alabama. Mardikian is finally realizing the dream of developing his artwork and having a show.

Mardikian was born in France in 1963 and spent most of his childhood in Boulogne-sur-Seine near Paris. At the age of 25, while studying archaeology and conservation science at the School of the Louvre and the Sorbonne University, he developed specific tools and materials to express himself in abstract painting.

'Art restoration training offered a precious understanding of the chemical, physical and optical properties of paints,' says gallery owner Lese Corrigan.

'Working with the substance of paint and shaping it into a unique, nonrepresentational form of expression has been inspiring for Mardikian. He develops the surfaces of his work as though he were both the elements putting on traces and the conservator taking away the ravages of time,' says Corrigan.

From prehistoric sites in Europe to the shipwrecks of the Titanic or the Hunley submarine, Mardikian's career of conserving archaeological artifacts feeds his artwork.

'The direct connection to the past, discovering and preserving the fragile remains of ancient civilizations, has left a permanent mark on his artwork. Interpreting the marks of humanity such as imprints, traces of fire, tracks, trash, brush stokes, graffiti and scarifications left by a human being on any given substrate are part of this iconography,' says Corrigan.

'I have always felt that abstraction was a state of mind, a particular way to look at the world and comprehend its substance,' Mardikian says.

'As a child, I was fascinated by the asphalt sidewalk on my way to school. It was like flying over an imaginary landscape. My brain was scanning every crack or variation in the texture. Years later, I was deeply moved by Pierre Soulages's black paintings. For me, abstract painting is a way to experiment more freely with the physical properties of paints - including random and accidental occurrences - with no representational intention,' says the aritst.

His works are small and medium sized icon paintings on wood, and the larger paintings on canvases; each with a unique layered history.

'Substances are added and subtracted to recompose the visible skin of the painting. The surface is the base on which materials interact. Pigments like those the prehistoric artists used are usually binders to create a textured background similar to a mineral substrate. Each piece represents a specific challenge. The outcome is never predictable. The mystery of the creation is total. It may take a year to give a soul to a piece; scraping off, adding layers, exploring, and eventually, leaving it alone,' says Mardikian.

'Mardikian's icons and totems - both words for objects venerated and revered as representing sacred beings or ancestors - are works of art representing years of knowledge of the passage of time, and its mark making on materials' surfaces,' says Corrigan.

For more information, call 722-9868 or visit www.corrigangallery.com.

'Metamorphosis'

On Saturday, East Montague Avenue in Park Circle's historic Old Village will be transformed into a showcase of local artistic and musical talent.

The event, titled 'Metamorphosis,' will be curated by Charleston artist Phillip Hyman and will feature photography, paintings, performance, live graffiti, music, spoken word and film. 'Metamorphosis' will also feature work by

children from Hursey Elementary and the School of the Arts.

'Metamorphosis' is the latest event to draw attention to reviving the Old Village area of North Charleston, now home to a number of thriving independent businesses and artists. Bringing together business owners, area artists, students and residents from North Charleston and the greater Charleston community, 'Metamorphosis' celebrates Park Circle's diversity and talent, and will include many businesses throughout the area.

Art and music will be featured at a number of venues on East Montague Avenue including Madra Rua, Evo Pizza, The Mill, Sesame, Johnny's, The Meeting Place, Half Moon Outfitters, The Chart, Park Circle Coffee & Cream, Bella Bella Salon, and South of Broadway.

The show will take over the whole Old Village in North Charleston from Spruill Avenue to the end of East Montague Avenue. There will be art by Lisa Shimko, Kevin Harrison, James Christopher Hill, Peter Scala, Fred Jamar, Chuck Keppler, Michael Lane, Phillip Hyman, Razz, Sharen Mitchell, spoken word and progressive art, short films by Nick Smith, live graffiti painting, photography, digital projections, student art from Charleston County School of the Arts and Malcolm Hursey Elementary along with other student artists and a variety of music. The list goes on.

Sponsored by Mixson, the I'On Group's new neighborhood in historic Park Circle, the event is 5-11 p.m. Admission is free, with donations accepted and encouraged. All donations will benefit the Carolina Youth Development Center, a neighborhood organization that assists children and families in reaching their full potential.

According to Alys Campaigne, vice president of marketing and strategy for the I'On Group, the event is intended to 'promote art as a means of community expression and celebrate the public realm.'

For more information, call 345-3670 or 709-6661.

Call for Submissions

The South Carolina Arts Foundation has issued a call for artists to participate in the 2008 Verner Art Sale, taking place in conjunction with the annual Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Governor's Awards for the Arts on April 16 at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia.

Works must be original and of high artistic quality, have a broad appeal, be representative of the artist's style, not exceed $1,500, and be framed with appropriate hanging devices. Artists must submit all materials by March 3. Visit www.southcarolinaarts.com or call 803-734-8696 for additional information and guidelines.

Established in 1972, the foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting the arts education and development programs of the S.C. Arts Commission through fundraising and public awareness.