Christian Davies

Me, I’m OK

Opens October 18, 2012, 7-10pm

J. RUSTEN FURNITURE STUDIO
2815 23rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Each painting in Christian Davies’ current body of work presents a flat field of colorful shapes which move in and out of adherence to predetermined patterns. These all-over geometric compositions are strikingly consistent– and simultaneously unique in countless minute ways. Intrigued by the traditional quilt patterns he was exposed to through his mother, a quilter, his work explores what happens when creative energy is applied to existing patterns and structures of shared experience. He draws a similarity between this process and the instruction-based painting show by the late Bob Ross, both of which have inspired countless copies and interpretations of a single set of instructions. All spring from the same directive, and yet no two are the same.

Davies maintains a rigorous studio schedule. His practice is a mundane activity in both process and frequency. It’s certainly not about radical self-expression; however, neither is it about perfect adherence to the rules. He’s feeling out the middle-ground, wherein one gets to explore the individual self while following rules. Within that constraint, he creates a seemingly homogeneous oeuvre that is, upon closer inspection, rich with texture, improvisation, and idiosyncrasy.

J. Rusten Furniture Studio was founded in 2003 by artisan Jared Rusten with a mandate to advance the craft of woodworking, explore new and challenging solid-wood furniture designs, and construct beautiful, compelling, singular, and enduring objects. Starting in 2012, his Mission showroom doubles as a salon with the intent of showcasing the Bay Area’s talented visual artists.