B. Sakata Garo: Jack Ogden Exhibit

Jack Ogden C.S.U.S professor emeritus recent show at B. Sakata Garo  (gallery). Located at 923 20th street Sacramento, California is simply brilliant. And when asked about Ogden's work Tom Montieth current painting professor at C.S.U.S who studied under Jack Ogden stated, "He is the real deal". And indeed he is.  As I described to Professor Montieth. Ogden's paintings are "all even-handed". Brush marks are controlled and strategically planned to suit the mood of the painting. This is the sum total of masterfully painting layers of paint to complete the painting so it may gel as one. However, only the human eye can see this and can not be seen in photos. The painting in the picture below is title Axon. My first impression of the painting is composed of a single brush. The brush painting a line in atmospheric space that is giving the impression of it resting on a horizon line plane acting as a surface. The artist leaves some of the raw material open on the edges of the painting and the frame is a wood trim  also has paint marks. The wonderful blue drips on the bottom of the canvas offer spacial variation as if to compose a 4th wall to invade the space of the viewer and gel with the audience. The brush being the embodiment of the artist and the drips speaking in a neo-expressionists manner; thus, the title Axon.

Axon- photo credit | Moises Castillo

Partial installation view|  Photo Credit | Moises Castillo

The solo show is highligjted with a family portrait of the Kennedy family- Once Upon a Time. The neo-expressionistic style is also a interesting composition reministint of a Diego Velasquez composition. The solo show also exhibited elaborate figure sculptures and wonderful fluid paintings that will stand the test of time as a painter who is the "real deal".

Photo Courtesy | B Sakata Garo