February 4 - 27, 2022

Public Opening: Saturday, February 5, 3 - 5 pm

MASS – BALANCE – SPACE by Gale Wallar

MASS BALANCE, in glacier terminology, refers to a measure of the change in mass of a glacier; the balance between accumulation (growth) and ablation (loss) in a glacier system.

In art terminology, MASS refers to a three dimensional form that stands out from the surrounding space because of value, color or texture.  BALANCE refers to the equal weight or attention of forms in a composition that contribute to visual unity.  SPACE is a term that defines a pictorial illusion to depict the infinity of the natural environment, where one sees receding forms.

A few weeks into the pandemic shutdown in March 2020, Gale Wallar reviewed her photographs taken during a journey to Alaska six months earlier.

During that summer of 2019, Alaska had been beset by unusual climactic events:  heat waves, high winds, and forest and tundra fires.  Denali, the highest peak in North America, was shrouded with clouds and haze. On the last day of Wallar’s trip, the skies suddenly cleared over Denali and the surrounding mountains of the Alaska Range.  For the first time in weeks the snow capped peaks and glaciers glistened in the sun and offered themselves up to be revered and examined. The visual immediacy and drama of Wallar’s close up shots of mountains became the impetus for a new series of paintings

The paintings that Wallar began in 2020 focus on the upper regions of mountains, in the snow accumulation zones, where the compressed snow and ice form the glaciers that eventually feed the rivers and creeks.  Across the globe, climate change and rising temperatures in the mountains imperil sources of precious water as the glaciers recede and move rapidly toward extinction.  Mass balance is shrinking.

Wallar’s compositions, based on selective adherence to her source photos, are drawn by hand on the canvas. Large shapes and value areas are blocked in. Layers of custom mixed color and details create contrast and depth The use of color tonality, value changes, repetition, texture, mass, balance and the illusion of space adds to the expressive commitment.

In February 2021, Touchstone Gallery and Wallar presented a virtual show, ‘Mass Balance: Endgame.’  Despite the high quality of the presentation, a virtual show cannot replicate the physical experience of viewing art, particularly the larger works.  This current show is an extension of the virtual exhibit along with several new works. All can be viewed in person in ‘MASS – BALANCE – SPACE.’

Wallar has previously exhibited in group, solo and juried shows in the US and Europe.  She has a studio at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and her work is in private international collections.

Proof of Covid vaccinations with IDs, and surgical, N95 or KN95 masks required inside the gallery.

Open hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-5.