March exhibitions examine the figure, narrative, and athletic culture
Blue Spiral 1 welcomes spring with a trio of exhibitions that consider how the human figure carries meaning across materials and contexts. On view March 6 through April 22, the presentations span painting, ceramics, and mixed media, offering varied perspectives on representation and symbolism. In the Showcase Gallery, painter Jon Sours and ceramic sculptor Kensuke Yamada present bold figurative work grounded in strong technical command. Yamada’s sculptures rely on gesture, texture, and pattern to convey emotion and presence. Sours combines observed and found imagery, creating paintings that move between realism and surrealism while maintaining a precise attention to surface and form. The Small Format Gallery features gouache paintings by Kreh Mellick. His layered compositions weave together people, plants, and animals in spaces where abstraction and figuration intersect, encouraging viewers to shift between narrative reading and formal appreciation. In the Lower Level, Sports brings together artists who treat athletics as a visual language. Everyday equipment and references are transformed into works that reflect memory, ritual, and cultural identity.
March 6-April 22; Opening Reception: Friday, March 6, 5-7pm
38 Biltmore Ave., Asheville / bluespiral1.com