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Ashley Perez: Common Ground
SAN ANTONIO -
Ruiz-Healy Art is pleased to present Common Ground, a solo exhibition of works by San Antonio artist Ashley Perez, on Wednesday, January 10th, with an opening reception from 6:00-8:00 PM. Common Ground will be on view at our San Antonio gallery through February 3rd, 2024. There will also be an artist walkthrough of the exhibition on January 13th, 2024, from 1:00-3:00 PM. This collection evolved from a year-long exploration of San Antonio's nature trails, where Perez engaged with individuals entering and exiting these curated natural spaces. This project was made possible with the generous support of the City of San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture #GetCreativeSA.
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Ashley Perez, Exhale, 2023, Oil on Wood, 28 x 40 in, 71.1 x 101.6 cm -
Ashley Perez's work embodies connection through community, “I set up a table and posted a sign that said “free art” near trailheads and made small drawings of birds native to the area to give away to the brave souls who decided to talk to me." In creating this space, Perez collaborated with people from all walks of life, “I met friends consoling each other after a bad break up and groups of kids taking advantage of Pokémon Go's community hours. My favorite was a little girl and her grandmother. After I explained what I was interested in talking about, the grandmother had the girl list all the bugs and plants she saw and why she came.”
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Ashley PerezLinger, 2023Oil on wood40 x 28 in
101.6 x 71.1 cm -
Ashley PerezGreat, 2023Oil on wood40 x 28 in
101.6 x 71.1 cmBeneath Great's light blues and light hues lies a darker story of human presence in natural environments. Perez states, “A rookery of protected birds in Brackenridge Park has led to health concerns. In response, the City takes measures to deter the birds by frightening them away and pruning the branches of their trees once their offspring have left to encourage the birds to establish nests in different locations in the future.”
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ASHLEY PEREZWaters Series, 2023Iron oxide on Yupo8 in
20.3 cm -
“Symbolic elements like circles and Coral snakes represent our connection to the earth and the regenerative state experienced while walking or biking.” - Ashley Perez
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Ashley PerezWinter Grass, 2023Oil on wood18 x 14 in
45.7 x 35.6 cm -
ASHLEY PEREZ, PREEN I, II and III, 2023, Iron oxide on paper, 12.5 in, 31.8 cm
The process of creating the set Preen pushed Perez to experiment with natural resources, “I used a hammer to crack the rock open, then used 80 grit sandpaper and combined the red dust with linseed oil and water to make a paste. I then used the dust without a binder; the dust needed an incremental and patient approach to achieve the final result.”
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Tillandsia recurvata, commonly known as ball moss, can be spotted on almost every tree we pass by here in San Antonio. As epiphytes, they leverage their host for shade and humidity.
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Ashley PerezVera, 2023Oil on Wood40 x 28 in
101.6 x 71.1 cmVera is inspired by an intriguing conversation Perez had while walking on the San Antonio trails, “I asked Vera if she was a painter because her fingertips were red, she said “no” but explained that she had seen the cochineal on the cactus and popped it.” Vera revealed to Perez that she makes natural dyes using natural materials like onion skins, marigolds, and turmeric. This still-life represents how Vera might have experimented with cochineal on cotton.
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Combining industrial and natural elements, Pulse, is a collection of tree shadows on the pavement, showcasing various seasons and times of the day that Perez captured.
Ashley Perez: Common Ground: San Antonio
Past viewing_room
