Gualala Arts
Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961.

"Reflections of Silk and Metal" Madeline Kibbe (hand-painted silk) & Ling-Yen Jones (silver jewelry) Opening Reception: Saturday, August 5, 5:00 p.m. Exhibit remains through August 31 Dolphin Gallery

Reflections of Silk and Metal will be the second time Ling-Yen Jones and Madeline Kibbe have exhibited together. Once again they will present works, Ling Yen in metal and Madeline in silk, which describe duality and balance between two things. The exhibit will be at The Dolphin from August 5 through 31. The opening reception will be Saturday, August 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For Madeline Kibbe, the original idea from the first show developed into a series of centipede kites built from silk, rattan and bamboo which depict persons caught in a moment of reverie or glancing in a mirror. In these pieces, mirrors are "the other" and the reflection is its response. She is also creating sculptures using the same materials as the kites which will play with ideas of positive and negative spaces as well as contrasting design elements on the silk to portray the simultaneous clash and coalescence that is balance.

Ling-Yen Jones is a Mendocino County jeweler working mainly in silver, semi-precious stones, and pearls. Her style ranges from the traditional to the modern, and is completely unique. All of the pieces are handmade, and are one-of-a-kind or in small series with repeating motifs. Earrings, coming in pairs, conjoin with the theme of reflections quite nicely. One earring is often a mirror reflection of the other. In the Gossips series, one face is reflecting with facial expression what the other face is saying. Windows often have a literal and metaphorical quality, and the geometric earrings sometimes reflect each other and sometimes show the exact opposite.

Ling-Yen defines jewelry as creations which are useful, artistic, symbolic, identifying, and an expression of personal ideas. In her earring line some of the motifs she uses are leaves, birds, and windows. When these elements and others are integrated into pieces they can represent new beginnings, changes, hope, and further growth in one's self. The materials she enjoys using most are sterling silver, copper, gold, pearls, and semiprecious stones. The pieces are always clean looking and distinctive.

The pieces with the Asian like faces are inspired by the feminine, graceful, and romantic scenes of the Ukiyo-E period of Japanese art. The piece, "Unmentionables" has different faces, all expressions of surprise, serenity, wonder, and ecstasy. On the back of the pieces there are hidden hand cut flowers, roller printed leaf patterns, and scenes of paired lovers. Ukiyo-E, or images of the floating world, were representations of the everyday life of Japan in the 16th through the 19th centuries. This piece brings together her own interest in the expressive power of faces, while exploring the serenity and grace of the everyday in present time. The "Windows of Opportunity" series is a three dimensional box and represents moments of opportunities. Both the "Unmentionables" and "Windows of Opportunity" lines will be available in earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and pins.

Ling-Yen trained with David Laplantz at Humboldt State University, at Monterey Peninsula College, and at various Mendocino Art Center workshops and assistantships. More about Ling-Yen is available on her website, www.ling-yendesigns.com.

The Dolphin Gallery is located at 39225 Highway One in downtown Gualala, behind the post office on the south side, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call (707) 884-3896 for more information.