Suzie HarrisonThe canvases show life drawn from...

Suzie Harrison

The canvases show life drawn from experience, perception and

individual interpretation. They are placed side by side underscoring

the individual thought and emotion behind the art.

The show is called “Menage a trois,” and features three artists --

Paula Schoen, Georges Monfils and Christian Lopez. The trio

interpreted chosen topics for the show exclusively at Marion Meyer

Contemporary Art.

From creating and designing guitars, to a 6-foot tall milk carton,

looking at intangibles such as time and memory -- each artist

conceptualized these topics into art.

“We came up with this idea earlier this year over shots of

tequila,” Monfils said. “We decided to have three artists, then

decided on 13 subjects with three different styles of interpretation,

each painting, pushed to explore its theme.”

Gallery owner Marion Cuddyer loves the true artistic sprit of the

show and its variety of scenes.

“Not only did they come up with the concepts, they came up with

the themes, which are very intriguing -- from secrets, to memory to

word and desire,” Cuddyer said. “Each of the artists are coming from

different backgrounds with no limitations. They just decided on the

size of the canvas or piece. They didn’t have any limitations

otherwise [it’s interesting] to see what three different artists came

up with on the same theme.”

She loved the idea of the artists doing a blind collaboration, to

see what they came up with.

“It was quite surprising and very powerful,” Cuddyer said. “I

wasn’t involved with curating as I usually am with shows with other

artists.

“Paula has emotionally charged abstract landscapes with a quiet

feeling, a lot of intensity in color and natural beauty,” Cuddyer

said. “People can look at and see an actual landscape created.”

Monfils was born in Belgium and in his interpretation of these

themes is his nouveau pop technique, which is electrifying, Cuddyer

explained. Lopez takes a more direct approach based on his philosophy

and spiritual belief and multi-cultural background.

“I use very bright colors and am whimsical at times, but am very

defined in lines, which is drawn from being a professional

photographer,” Monfils said. “I see images in black and white, so

very defined with boundaries -- once I define them on canvas, only at

that time I can decide what colors I will use and start painting.

He said that his work is seen almost like a negative of film, that

it has distinct layering.

In the series “25th hour, depicting time,” his painting has an

Indiana Jones-like character seen from above looking down below.

Monfils drew the floor as an Aztec calendar where the man stands

holding out a compass. “It’s called ‘Et Maintenant’ meaning that

which is coming -- questioning what is next.

Schoen likes the comparative with each artist showing their own

work and own ideas in the same setting. On an abstract level with a

topic such as memory she likes the beauty of interpretation,

reflecting their own way, style and feelings.

“With the reflective “25th hour” mine is the river of souls to

eternity and Christian took it into the modality of a human face,”

Schoen said. “Even in terms of themes we took our own distinctive

style.”

Lopez said he liked the anticipation of wondering what the other

two artists were going to create. He also thought how one might view

his interpretation and execution of his point of view and ideas.

Lopez said he contemplated how to portray pieces, such as the guitar

of milk carton and bring to those dimensional pieces his philosophy

and beliefs.

“At that time, I was going through a lot of hardships and I have a

religious background,” Lopez said.

His milk carton piece is called “Matthew 7:6” and its focus is the

lesson of not to look back but to step forward.

“The image is stepping forward and it depends on your decisions of

your life and your convictions,” Lopez said.

The artists sent Cuddyer out of town and re-did the gallery. They

painted the walls and put up the work. She was able to see it as a

spectator would.

“This show keeps amazing me, the thought behind it, the thought

behind the pieces is truly amazing,” Cuddyer said.

“Menage a trois” will run at Marion Meyer Contemporary through

July 20, with an artist reception from 7 to 10 p.m. June 28. The

gallery is at 354 N. Coast Highway. For information, call 497-5442.