111 Minna Gallery Presents: Harum Scarum

San Francisco (I-Newswire) January 6, 2012 - 111 Minna Gallery is pleased to present Harum Scarum, a group exhibition that will include an impressive collection of 20 collage/mixed media works on hand built wood panel by San Francisco-based artist, David Ball. In this latest series of work, Ball depicts the pursuit of happiness through a visual narrative that reflects on his personal transcendence from a place of emotional darkness to a place of light. The opening reception for Harum Scarum will be held at 111 Minna Gallery on February 2, 2012 from 5pm til late and will also feature the work of two other California artists: Jesse Balmer of San Francisco and Katherine Brannock of San Diego.

"Sometimes I am commenting on reality. Sometimes I am escaping it. The work is kind of a discourse between those things." – David Ball

David Ball’s practice evolves from a place of continual change, embracing the chaos to achieve a sense of order. His process begins roughly, with quick, abstract and gestural under paintings that gradually evolve into an elaborate and well-defined composition through the artist’s “call-and-response” style of working. Ball’s personal life greatly informs his process and the themes behind his imagery. Throughout his life, he experienced a series of extreme shifts in his psycho-emotional state of being that took him through periods of emotional highs which inevitably turned to lows that resulted in paranoia, aggression and depression. His willingness to transcend the chaos saved his life and was due in part to being open to taking medication and in part due to his personal resolve to trust in the love and kindness of someone close to him.

While Ball’s earlier work was darker, more brooding and discussed themes of conflict without much concern for resolution, the changes he’s made in his personal life have crossed over to his creative life. Ball’s latest work seeks to engage the viewer in a discourse that he hopes conveys joy and inspiration. The work for Harum Scarum celebrates color and character through vibrant layers of acrylic paint, colored pencil and collage that unite to form otherworldly scenes of mythical creatures and fantastically surreal landscapes that invite viewers to share in the artist’s wonder and fascination at the human pursuit of happiness.


David Ball is a collage/mixed media artist. His interests range from observed relationship dynamics and social commentary to more introverted personal works, all in surreal, other worldly landscapes driven by character and narrative.

ARTIST’S WEBSITE: http://www.david.ball.net


111 Minna Gallery opened its doors in 1993 at 111 Minna Street in the SOMA district of San Francisco. This location would later become the heart of the up and coming art district, which has now been solidified with the construction of the SF MOMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and countless progressive galleries emerging in the surrounding area.

For many artists, 111 Minna quickly became the San Francisco gallery to exhibit their work and would grow to become an establishment which would gain notoriety and an overall reputation for launching artist’s careers, both nationally and internationally, while acting as host for a vast variety of art specifically focused on underground, low brow, edgy and often times controversial styles.

FOR GALLERY INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.111minnagallery.com


Calendar Editors:
What: Harum Scarum: A Group Exhibition Featuring the Work of David Ball

When: Opening Reception: February 2, 2012 5:00 PM – LATE
Exhibition Dates: February 2 – 25, 2012
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Friday, Noon – 5:00 pm
Tuesday & Saturday by Appointment

Where: 111 Minna Gallery
111 Minna
San Francisco, CA 94110


MEDIA CONTACT: Lainya Magana Lainya@AOpublic.com
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