I first met Mark one evening at an artists' salon at a friends house. We chatted over homebrew, art, caretaking, and cooking... A love of community and helping created an easy friendship, and when I left that evening, I handed Mark my card. "Seriously - email me," I said... And though I meant it, sincerely, I didn't know that meeting Mark that night would change my view about art, personal expression, sense of self, and purpose.
The next day, my husband and I were headed home and stopped at an estate sale on a whim. There, amongst the old bowling trophies, jumbled linens, discarded detritus of daily life and vintage Christmas ornaments, we picked out small treasures and chatted with the estate sale employee. Following the stairs to a bedroom full of clothing and ladies shoes, I saw a newly familiar figure among the treasures. Introducing Mark to my husband, I reiterated the invitation to talk about social media and art. I still had no idea - no clue - as to the scope of Mark's talent... And it wasn't until he finally called me and we met for coffee that I became acutely aware of just how special a person Mark Teresa really is.His art speaks volumes as to the way in which his mind works; ever connecting, linking, exploring, tinkering - a caretaker at heart and a therapist by trade, Mark's vision and expression of human relationships is expressed eloquently in his art. Multi-layered collages of vintage images, typed words, teeny pieces and objects are found and reset into a language of history. Itty bitty rivets hold love poems and images of long ago. Cross sections of twigs recall miniature logging operations; categorized and held in glorious suspension... Coat hooks become story boards. Shelves hold dreams and ideas, ready to tuck into the collars of coats.
I know Mark Teresa the man to be much like his art - approachable, interesting, colorful, multi-layered, joyful, thoughtful, and curious. This Friday night, you can meet the man and his art during his latest show "Objects of Reading." Nestled among the objects of art, you'll find tiny messages that speak to your heart and your soul... There will be pie (because everything Mark does is, at the very heart, about comforting people) and live typed poetry.You don't want to miss this event.
Objects of Reading : Mark Teresa * Opening evening ~ Friday, August 19th ~ 5pm * Clementine Luigi Gallery * 3850 North Mississippi Avenue * Suite A511 * Portland * Oregon * continuing Saturday, August 20th ~ 12pm - 4pm * Sunday, August 21st ~ 12pm - 4pm
*cross posted in Portland Rules!*
