“Trombone Player,” Deep Medhi, photograph
The small gallery at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church has once again gathered a diverse group of artists/congregants for its annual Members & Friends show.
This year’s edition features works ranging from sculptures to photography, oils and watercolors, mixed media and fiber art. The largest pieces come from sculptor Butch Murphy, best known for his equine figures.
Murphy has three sculptures in the show. None are horses, but they share many of the same characteristics. All are rusted metal forms landing somewhere between abstraction and representation. “Cello,” in particular, captures the magic of a well-made musical instrument. It also reminds us that materials like these are usually used in more utilitarian ways. With its small bursts of color, “Cello” feels fully developed and slightly more “complete” than “Braque’s Mandolin,” another music-centric piece Murphy placed in the show.
At the other end of the spectrum, a pair of watercolors by Claudia Baker pack a pleasant punch in very small packages. Her “Ruins in Canyon de Chelly” delivers the details, then shrouds them in mystery. “Out of Laveta” is pretty, but not overly precise.
In similar fashion, three pastels by Peggy Schrock — each featuring trees— meditate on nature in soft, subtle greens. “Melons in the Moonlight,” a brightly hued piece of fabric art by Jane Gilbreath, is a lot less subtle. That’s not a knock. The lone wagon, a giant moon and Van Gogh styled stars leap up like an illustration in a children’s book — simple and evocative. A second piece by Gilbreath, “Credit Bob Walkenhorst,” is considerably more complex. It’s a text-heavy fabric collage built around a few lines of lyrics by the Kansas City musician. The combination works well.
Several striking photographs are also on display. An extreme closeup of a trombonist is an unlikely choice, but Deep Mehdi’s black and white portrait is so crisp, and the player so intent, that it invites repeated viewings.
Two photos by Rita Gienapp are especially noteworthy. “Tranquility” presents an outdoor scene bursting with digitally enhanced color. “Autumn Fern” dispenses with the chroma altogether, letting a single plant’s delicate markings speak for itself.
Arlyn Johnson’s encaustic media “Remembering Taipei” resembles Chinese screen painting —circles, ovals and mysterious small boxes merging with what appears to be remnants of plants and leaves. Dominated by muddy browns and muted blues, the piece feels somber and contemplative. Yet somehow cautiously optimistic.
Also on view in the exhibit are works by Anne Marchin, Anne Edsen, Jean Patterson, Frank Stevens, Sharon Grandischnig and Bonnie Schwarzenholz.
“2024 Members and Friends of All Souls Art Exhibition” continues at the All Souls Gallery, 4501 Walnut St., through Dec. 31. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, 816.531.2131 or www.allsoulskc.org.
