Here, There & Back Again
Doug Haga
August 2 – September 29, 2024 October 6, 2024
Runyan Gallery
Newport Visual Arts Center
OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, August 2nd from 5-7pm
Artist talk @ 5:30pm
Musical guest Annie Averre
Light refreshments will be served
Haga’s exhibit features brightly painted and embellished character inventions featuring found natural elements brought to life through intense color.
“Seeing the twinkle in Doug Haga’s eyes as he has branched into a whole new medium for this show, emphasizes the focus, creativity and conceptual growth that can occur as artists prepare for their exhibitions. These forms and combinations of materials are transcended by the intense vibrancy of Haga’s palette. We are excited for viewers to see color of his creature’s pop under the lights of the Runyan Gallery.” – Chasse Davidson, Director, Newport Visual Arts Center
From the artist…
This exhibition represents a full departure from my 50 years of 2-dimensional artwork into “sculptural” pieces constructed of “found material” and shop-made transition parts that help make my designs cohesive and add a contemporary dimension. All in all, this illustrates my interest in the Asian concept of Wabi-Sabi, a design aesthetic that combines ancient material (in this case driftwood) with modern elements: gourds, shop-made additions, and wild chromatic pigments.
I discovered the Wabi-Sabi ideas while designing Bonsai trees, although the philosophy is applied across many disciplines, from cabinets to house construction. The concept gave many avenues to manipulate parts to suggest mythic or playful pieces. Many, if not most, driftwood elements were collected on long walks along a section of Yaquina Bay, while others were gifted to me from friends.
Almost always, a theme follows the intuitive and suggestible, such as bird, fish, deer, dog, etc. Although I have been fabricating “things” most of my life, this work is perhaps the most fun and engrossing art I have done for some time. I have worked with modern pigments, powders, gels, and unique wood shapes. These mysterious or whimsical sculptures were, for the most part, challenging and rewarding. Hopefully, you, the observer, can appreciate my vision in full color.
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