Theme

This theme of similarity and yet great difference underlies Secor's selection process for all the artists featured in Thunder Within The Earth, a title once again chosen from the I Ching. Thunder Within The Earth specifically refers to the hexagram 'Fu' (Return or the Turning Point) and conjures up an image of a quiet but powerful force. 'I took the image from 'Fu/Return' because each of the artists, at one time or another has lived in Houston, and I imaged this exhibition as symbolizing a return to the city. When I initially selected them, I hadn't come up with a profound theme or a thread that would hold the show together, but had simply thought of people whose work I strongly admire, and who draw in one fashion or another- whether it be in gouache or silverpoint or floor wax and ink, It wasn't until I began to receive images for the show that I realized all the works have a certain powerful quietness to them, a most fortuitous coincidence. None of the works shouts or screams, but all of them possess some quality that resonates strongly upon the psyche,' says Secor.

Beth Secor - origin of exhibition title.

In 1981, Beth Secor and Jack Livingston were in an exhibition entitled 'Coming to Meet' at the Center for Art and Performance (CAP) on Almeda Boulevard in Houston, Texas. Secor recalls, 'Jack and I worked together at Texas Art Supply, and had taken the title of our show from the I Ching, also known as the Chinese Book of Changes. Even at that time, I greatly admired Jack's work, for although there was a certain nervous tension within it that was similar to mine, there was also a quietness that I admire and have yet to achieve in my own work.'

Exhibition Announcement

Houston, TX - Art League Houston is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition Thunder Within The Earth, a drawing exhibition curated by Beth Secor, and featuring the works of Jack Livingston, Philip Maysles, Matthew Sontheimer, Marco Villegas and Liz Ward The exhibition is on view in the ALH main gallery July 11 - August 22, 2008. The opening reception for Thunder Within The Earth is July 11, 1008 from 6-8 p.m., with a curator and artist talk at 6:15.p.m.