Red Bluff artist and teacher, Josifa Casey brings her experiences from living in the Far East to “Yin-Yang: An Introspective.” The exhibit features works done with both copper and watercolors and opens at the Red Bluff Art Gallery on Friday, Nov. 6.
The ancient yin-yang symbol represents the understanding of how things work. An outer circle encompasses the symbol and represents “everything,” while black and white shapes within the circle represent the energy that causes “things to happen.” The shapes suggest motion, which can be interpreted as the continual interaction between the two energy masses.
“I lived in the Far East for many years,” says Casey, “and studied the different forms of Buddhism. I was inspired by the Tibetan mandalas, which convey their own layers of meanings and symbols.”
The artist chose copper as the primary material for creating art for this show. Copper is a chemical element (Cu) with the atomic symbol 29. It is a highly efficient thermal and electrical conductor. “It has been used for a thousand years. I love the patina, a green layer of copper carbonate called verdigris. You can see it in old copper constructions, like on the Statue of Liberty,” Casey explains.
For this exhibit, Casey has created her own symbols and interpretations of her life and experiences of balance and harmony, life and death, sickness and health. “You learn to accept these things, as part of the eternal learning process, as part of a balanced and harmonious life,” Casey says.
The exhibit opens with a reception for the artist on Friday, Nov. 6, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Red Bluff Art Gallery, 601 Walnut, downtown Red Bluff. For more information, visit RedBluffArtGallery.com or call (530) 529-1332.
