The Texture of Myth

An exhibit in Foundation Studios’ Flex Space, featuring sculptures by Cathleen Klibanoff, oil paintings by Robby Gall, and photography by Micah Mackenzie. Curated by Laird Pelzer. View the show in our gallery or on our Instagram page, December 4th-January 4th.

About the Artists:

Cathleen Klibanoff-
Curating art allows me to indulge in intense intimacy while exploring my independent ideas and ideals. I’m fascinated with the chemistry of humankind and nature, with a particular affinity for metal (or metallic) and wood, approaching a subject with aged patina intact. Being a self-taught artist, I can’t hide behind technique. I strive to be an honest and emotional storyteller, albeit naive.
The intimacy of my sculptural portraits derives from the fact that they are unapologetically flawed. The avalanche of texture does not attempt to hide inconsistencies, but rather a wabi-sabi tribute–seing beauty in the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. The portrait is both model and message–a statement of belonging and intention made visible. Whether it is man, animal or mythological creature, the viewer is engaged in cross cultural dialogue. Art is where all paths converge, and improbable connection made possible.

Micah Mackenzie-
Micah is a professional photographer from Sumter, SC although his heart is firmly based in Asheville, NC where he has lived for most of the past 25 years.
As a child, Micah was intrigued and inspired by his mother’s photography of the natural environment. Later as a self-taught artist, Micah explored composition, color, layering and textures through drawing, painting and wood burning. With photography, he continues to creatively manipulate his chosen medium using a rich, multi-layered approach with a focus on portraiture and people. He is equally comfortable taking photos in the studio or out in the real world. He loves the ability to manipulate and fine-tune a studio environment, at the same time relishing the spontaneity and freshness of an impromptu street or on-location shoot.
Micah has always felt a strong, intuitive affinity with the visual world and his drive as an artist comes from a desire to explore and communicate with others creatively, sharing with them the unique lights inside his head. He looks beyond the surface of his subjects, seeing inside to what is intrinsically beautiful and empowering–this is what shines out in his photos.

Robby Gall-
Robby is an emerging artist from Detroit, and a recent transplant to Asheville. His work has been shown in multiple galleries in and around the Detroit area as well as juried into shows both local and international. Robby is formally trained in music composition, and though largely self taught as a visual artist his love of good composition is evident in his painting.
Robby’s work is eclectic in style, drawing on everything from old master techniques to pop surrealism. There is humor here, but also darkness. There is beauty here, but also a challenge; a challenge to the viewer to let the paintings unravel over them, blend with their own mythos, and reveal their hidden truths.