On Saturday December 7 from 2:00-8:00 pm, Galactic Panther will host an opening reception for a satellite exhibition located at 11 Canal Center in Alexandria. “The Way of the Gods” is a solo exhibition by Jamie Lester which will open with live music & catering in conjunction with a Holiday Bazaar featuring several artists selling their work. 

 

About the nearly 30 sculptures in the exhibit, Lester states;

“This solo exhibition represents the work of one year. I have been developing this binary method of working in ceramics and steel over the last 5 years. This representation of the method is the most complete so far. Each medium is strong on its own. Yet in these assembled states each depends on the other for completion. 

 

I was first captivated by clay in undergraduate studies at WVU, and inspired by the maverick Chinese sculptor Jiansheng Li. I am still drawn to the malleable nature of clay, an infinite mesh that can be shaped into whatever form we can dream of. Like Prometheus, we breathe life into this inert material and become a God for a moment. 

 

Clay is glazed but steel is patinaed with rust and layers of paint. With this visual language I can arrange the framework of a loose narrative, upon which the viewer can build their own assertions. 

 

Ceramics represent the flesh, soft, fallible, delicate and brittle. The steel represents the permanent, the bones, the strong and tensile thread that ties life together.Yet also the steel decomposes, forming the oxidizing rust that reminds us of death and the concept of a spirit. 

 

The polytheism of Greek mythology offers up gods that are like us; imperfect. In their jealous dramas, passionate trysts, and plays for power, I see ourselves. Religion has always been a tool to explain the unknown. This collection of works is a sounding of the depths of our humanity. 

 

This solo exhibition is defined by the power of fire. Like Prometheus, I have molded human beings in clay, fired them to perfection, only to watch them crumble into a thousand pieces, reconstituted, and cobbled together in a semblance of life.”

“The Way of the Gods” will run through March 15.

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Galactic Panther hosts several events every week including upcoming:

-Live Music 

-Comedy, Jazz, & Drag Shows 

-Poetry Open Mic every other Thurs.

-Open Mic every Sunday

-Healing Events

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Find Tickets for all Events Here: CLICK HERE

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Galactic Panther is open Wednesday through Friday 12-5, Saturday-Sunday 12-7 and by appointment (Felipe@galacticpanther.com). Please follow Galactic Panther on Facebook, Instagram, Eventbrite, & our website for further updates & information.

 

From day one a portion of all sales from Galactic Panther has supported non-profits who offer food security for those in need.

 

Galactic Panther 

1303 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA