Don Gesinger and Pharis Romero have done it again, with a beautiful art show on display at Alexander Clothing in Williams Lake.
Gesinger and Romero teamed up once before to create incredible art, using the symmetry and design of Gesinger's stunning architectural and mandala art to help inspire the unique beaded jewellery of Romero.
Gesinger's paintings are interpretations of photographs he has taken on his travels, mostly of buildings, recreating and reinterpreting the textures and aged patina on the buildings in what he describes as a meditative exercise. His geometric circular mandalas explore what he calls the limitless opportunities for artistic expression within their forms. He calls longtime friend Romero a "creative genius and master craftsman."
Romero does her beadwork painstakingly by hand, ensuring each piece feels as beautiful as it looks, and she also utilizes the leftover brass from the work she and her husband Jason Romero do making custom banjos.
"I deeply recognize the impact that his approach to art — natural, place-based, and part of daily life — has influenced my ethos on the creation, realization and normalization of art as a part of the background and foreground of every day," wrote Romero in her artists' statement.
Both artists mention the meditative aspect of their art and both find inspiration in each other's work and both mention the importance of art in their daily lives.
Their work is so well-paired it makes for challenging shopping, as it becomes hard to know whether to look at the paintings, mandalas or the jewellery, all amongst the varied textures and tones of fall in Alexander Clothing. Be sure to give yourself time to take it in.
The art show opened on Sept. 26 at the shop, located at 2512 Sutton Road, and will be on display until Oct. 19 and the shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
