It is an inherent responsibility of the artist to denote the passage of time. The labor itself, to construct an object or an image, is proof enough that something has embarked, transformed, evolved.

Within the tempo of our culture much art has adapted to a frenzied status. Conversely, the works offered here attest to the stillness, wonder and reduction of memory: four artist’s different attempts at measuring the past. Together, they cull the commonplace and the known. They are visual representations of recall.

Axis Gallery is pleased to present The Memory Pore, a themed exhibition joining works by four California native artists.

About the Artists:

Kevin Frances– Kevin Frances was born in Santa Monica, California. His work includes prints, books, ceramic sculpture and installation. He received his MFA in printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2013, and his BA from the University of California, Davis in 2010. In 2012 he was a participant at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. His work has been show at the International Print Center New York, David Krut Projects in New York, Kala Gallery in Berkeley California, and the Highpoint Center for Printmaking in Minneapolis.

Benjamin Hunt– Ben Hunt was born and raised in San Diego, California. He received both a Bachelors of Fine Art and a Masters of Fine Art in Spatial Art from San Jose State University in 2000 and 2008 respectively. While studying at San Jose State University, Ben worked as lead studio assistant to prominent Bay Area sculptors David Middlebrook, Randall Shiroma and David Kimball Anderson. At present, Ben is an Exhibition Preparator at the Crocker Art Museum and is an adjunct Lecturer in the Art Department at California State University Sacramento. Ben resides in Sacramento.

Richard Karson– Richard Karson was born in San Francisco in 1967. He currently lives and works in San Jose. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Santa Clara University, receiving BA/BS degrees in Art History and Anthropology in 1989. Currently he holds a position as Chief of Design and Installation at the San Jose Museum of Art. Richard’s artwork has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area and is in numerous private collections throughout the United States.

Matthew Taylor– Matthew Weston Taylor was born in Stockton, California.  He received a BFA from San Jose State University in 2008 and an MFA from the University of California Davis in 2011.  Working primarily with painting and drawing, Matthew maintains a studio and teaches at Cabrillo College in Aptos.  He lives with his wife and daughter in the Bay Area.

About the organizer:

Justin Marsh– Justin Marsh was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up in the Central Valley. He received a BFA in Pictorial Art from San Jose State University in 2007. He has worked in gallery and museum settings since 2004. While in San Jose, Justin organized and curated 12 & Taylor, an artist cooperative, alternative exhibition space. Currently, Justin is an Exhibition Preparator at the Crocker Art Museum and an artist member at Axis Gallery.