Joan McLoughlin’s “Eterno” Exhibit, Truly Endless

Artiste Silvia Poloto’s latest work is on display at The McLoughlin Gallery, 49 Geary.

By Rachel Michelle

January 15, 2013

Joan McLoughlin, owner of The McLoughlin Gallery at 49 Geary, is making her mark in the San Francisco Art community. In just a couple of years Joan has managed to become one of the top gallery owners in San Francisco, in one of the most prominent gallery districts. With a combination of her strong business sense, her impeccable eye for art, and her welcoming and inviting attitude, Joan McLoughlin has proven to be unstoppable.

She states, “I treat each new artist like a start-up. Drawing on my prior corporate experience, I develop a marketing strategy for each artist as I would a new product launch. After only 2 years, I have created a strong program of unique artwork meeting the needs of the art collectors. It is a win-win for everyone: the artist – new or established, the collector and the gallery. Mind you it’s a lot of work, yet very rewarding. I believe in my artists and want to see them succeed. The focus is to get them into notable private collections and museums.”

Her current exhibition ‘Eterno’ features artists Silvia Poloto and Doug Thieslcher, both self-taught artists, is perfectly named. There is a definite emotional and organic connection between these artists allowing balance and harmony to a beautifully curated show. As the name ‘Eterno’ suggests, both artists are concerned with creating the eternal; of creating works of art that transcend time; making each paint stroke or carving truly endless.

Brazilian born artist Silvia Poloto is currently based in the Mission District of San Francisco where she now lives and breathes her work. Looking at this accomplished, attractive woman one is unaware of the challenges and tragedies life has bestowed upon her. In fact tragedy has been the genesis of this recent body of work, entitled ‘Mad Rose of the Winds,’ The work on display in ‘Eterno’ is imbued with Poloto’s raw, charged emotion drawn from memories, heartbreak and pain. Pieces from her series, ‘Private Puzzles’ are also included – these works contribute an air of innocence and purity while providing a sense of balance and hope for the future.

Inspiration for titling her pieces is drawn from life experience and intimate relationships. For example, ‘White Flower as Blood-tinged Rose’ was inspired by a recent trip to her deceased mother’s empty house. Sitting in silence, she reflected on a photograph of her parent’s wedding day; her mother beautifully dressed in white, with a white bouquet and a white cake – this once happy memory is now instead a trigger for grief, carving further into the deep void in her life. For Poloto, it is essential to describe her life in order to understand her art, and in turn creating art allows her to better understand her life.

Ten years ago, Doug Thielscher began the traditional craft of stone carving. This timeless substance is one of the most ancient materials to work with. Stone carving techniques passed down generation-to-generation dating back to the Italian Renaissance, guided the novice hands of Thielscher with his initial projects. Challenging himself in toiling with this ancient matter and honoring its noble tradition, Thielscher is able to communicate a contemporary narrative that is powerful and emotionally charged halting the viewer to stop and think. He strives to convey enduring stories of human life. Like Poloto, his work is charged with human emotions of conflict, anger, desire and fear. By focusing on the point of greatest tension in a story, Thielscher intensifies and delivers a powerful emotional narrative.

Doug’s work will be showcased at The McLoughlin Gallery during the LA Art Show January 23 – 27th later this month.

Rachel Bonine is a noted art advisor and writer. One of her ambitions is to educate the people of the Bay Area in supporting local emerging artists. She does this by writing about upcoming artists and working with private venues, buyers and galleries to introduce these exceptional artists and showcase their work

Rachel Michelle

Rachel is a noted art advisor and writer. One of her ambitions is to educate the people of the Bay Area in supporting local emerging artists. She does this by writing about upcoming artists and working with private venues, buyers and galleries to introduce these exceptional artists and showcase their work.

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