Artist Reception
Sept 6, 2019, from 6 pm to 9 pm
Olney Gallery
Faces of the World
Deborah Hodder, Bob Martin, and Gina Santi are the featured artists presenting work in ceramics, painting, and photography, all with the unifying subject matter of the faces of the world.
Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
100 W Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Deborah Hodder with clay shows the interdependence of people. Hodder explains that the theme of this work is unity. “Encircled figures interconnect in bonds of solidarity, support, and protectiveness, expressing how the strength created by unity can overcome strife and discord in times of political and economic upheaval.” Revolving trays will allow guests to examine all facets of her three-dimensional art. Pops of color appear from individual figures on each turn. The figures encircle each work, revealing the harmonious juxtaposition of interconnected unity and diversity. Deborah Hodder received her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at Arizona State University.
Bob Martin believes an artist has to communicate their own understanding of the world. “I search to create beauty and honesty in my work.” The faces in Martin’s paintings are surrounded by color looking deeply pensive. He explains, “each painting is a surprise, never planned and becomes a story of who they might be.” Martin is a native New Yorker, who grew up surrounded by art, jazz, dance, and basketball, he feels all of these influenced his approach to painting. Martin studied at the School of Visual Arts and The Art Students League of New York.
Gina Santi’s, work is a byproduct of her time in the city of Kathmandu, Nepal. Santi was there teaching a workshop to Nepali women. “I was lucky to … experience [Nepal] first-hand. The cities are a hotchpotch of temples and stupas crammed with pilgrims from all over the world.” The goal of Santi’s photography is telling a story about people and the magnificence and splendor of their land. Santi studied photography at the Universidad Santa María, Caracas and at the Washington, D.C. School of Photography. She earned her M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Northern Arizona University.