Pareidolia, Illusions in Plain Sight continues at Howes Gallery

Eighteen local artists from Medford, Somerville, Watertown, Boston, Cambridge, Rockport, Hull, Boston and Malden are featured in Pareidolia, Illusions in Plain Sight, the latest show at Howe’s Gallery in South Medford.

Pareidolia (/pærɪˈdoʊliə/ parr-i-DOH-lee-ə) is the tendency to interpret a vague stimulus as something known to the observer, such as interpreting marks on Mars as canals, seeing shapes in clouds, or hearing hidden messages in music.

Says Maria Kennedy, a photographer from Melrose, “Discovering the play of light and shadow, patterns, color, and composition are important parts of my process. I would like to think my experience, mood, and story, which are captured in my photographs, will translate to those who look at them. “Pareidolia: Illusions in Plain Sight”, is the idea that illusions can be found everywhere.

Kathy Garner, painter from Hull, adds, “I tell visual stories inspired by nature, memory and dreams I invite the viewer to observe an environment of twisting fig trees , underground roots, and a rabbit’s dream.”

Linda Dolph, multimedia artist from Malden, explains “I often see images in the undefined. My artistic journey with pareidolia began when I used pen and colored inks to reveal images I imagined in hand–made marbled paper. Currently I do multilayered monotypes on a gelatin plate utilizing a variety of both natural and manmade objects and materials. On occasion, I work into my prints with drawing or painting materials and/or use a Photoshop program to make adjustments and expand on the “source” print.”

Says Melissa London, photographer from Somerville, “I enjoy taking long walks with my dog, my wife and my camera (not necessarily in that order). We often take the same route, but I am always on the lookout to see something new. Sometimes I get lucky and the landscape offers me a treat. The bent-wood Yoga Guy was one of the first of these fortunate happenstances of Pareidolia - seeing something familiar within or beyond what is right in front of me. He makes me smile. On these walks I’ve also spied a whimsical Bunny, a menacing Owl, and a craggy face reminiscent of those ubiquitous talking trees in fantasy stories or fairy tales - you know, the ones who surprise a woebegone traveler lost in the woods, who hold the secret how to get home.

Somerville photographer, Jim Baab, the show’ curator, explains “As you view this exhibition, you will find yourself revisiting your own memories. You may not see the same things that someone else sees; but, you may experience more than what an artist has intended. As artwork in this exhibition shows, it is difficult to ignore faces and figures, even when they are microscopic, fragmented, masked, or distorted. The artists participating in this exhibition have exposed very human desires to find, identify, and connect with other living things - including beings we have never encountered before - and to make sense of the landscape before us, both real and imagined.”

Pareidolia, Illusions in Plain Sight continues to May 3, 2019

About Howe’s Gallery

Howe Creative Studio & Gallery as a celebration of creativity in all of its various forms. It’s an art community; place to gather, share ideas, learn and create. It presents thought provoking exhibitions by an array of talented local artists.

Partnering with Howe’s gallery is 4goodvibes, which offers unique crafts from over 160 local artists as well as workshops and craft fairs. Its mission is to promote a healthy mind and healthy body. For more information, go to https://4goodvibes.bigcartel.com/

Howe’s Gallery is located at 392 Main St. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 11-5. For more information, go to https://www.howecreative.net/