An exhibit of Native Spiritual Art from Around the World
On View through November 29th, 2014 @ The Emerald Tablet in San Francisco, CA
Artist John Rumpley “Forest”
For Immediate Release
November 2014
“Tulafono A Le Agaga E Tu Mau – The Laws of the Spirit Remain the Same” is currently showing at The Emerald Tablet – a creativity salon in San Francisco, California. This group exhibition is the collaborative effort of four San Francisco-based artists who call themselves “The North Star Artists” – Samoan artist Sekio Fuapopo, Finnish American artist John Rampley, Pennsylvania Dutch artist George Shuey, and Filipino-Native American artist George Duran. In the exhibition, the “North Star Artists” present a series of their own artworks along side the works of invited Maori artists Steve Gibbs and Gabrielle Belz, First Nation artists Joe David and Shirod Younker, and Irish American artist Paula Clark.
Each piece in the show traces a specific understanding that each artists has in relationship to the present, the past and genealogy. Through the lens of their cultural identity they uncover imagery, motifs, and colors with the common thread of the “spirit” and “natural” worlds. This body of work includes abstract and representational paintings along with traditional hand craved canoe paddles and mix media prints.
“The Laws of the Spirit Remain the Same” is a testament that these veteran artists are seemingly immune to the perception and current notion of retirement. Their work definitely is an indication of the powerful inner shift of age and experience that has propelled them into new heights of creativity. In their advanced career as artists, they are highly productive and have produced some of their best work ever – puts a new twist on the phrase “gets better with age”.
“Tulafono A Le Agaga E Tu Mau – The Laws of the Spirit Remain the Same” is a hidden gem that is free for public viewing until November 29
“The Emerald Tablet” in North Beach District
80 Fresno Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 415.500.2323.
Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday 1 – 5pm or by appointment.
For more information about the “The North Star Artists” visit their website at http://northstarartists.com
The artists can also be reached at 415.671.0417 or info@northstarartists.com
About the North Star Artists
George Duran
Born in Stockton, California in 1944, George was influenced by the work ethic of his father, a Filipino farm laborer. Working the fields in Northern California with his father gave hima respect for nature and a love of the land. He was inspired by the stories his mother shared with him about his Shawnee grandmother. “Looking into cultures has influenced my art.” Being a “breed” created an awareness of his dual cultural heritage, and a realization that what is important is the sameness of the spirit. “That is what I try to express in my art. I speak of the spirit and it’s meaning.” “Looking into cultures has influenced my art. I gravitated toward my Indian blood. The imagery of all early cultures is similar, as in Indian, Oceanic, African, and European. All relate to the spirit. What is important is the spirit. That is what we try to express in our art. We all speak of the spirit and it’s meaning.”
Artist George Duran Abstract “City”
Sekio Fuapopo
Born in Utulei, Tutuila, Amerika Samoa in 1947, Sekio was raised and educated in San Francisco. He is influenced by the traditions of the art and culture of his heritage:navigating the seas and humanity by the stars, winds and songs. Sekio’s love of American Jazz continues to inspire his work today. In making his art, his western education is woven with the legacy of the islands.
Artist Sekio Fuapopo “Northern LIghts”
John Rampley
Born in Fresno, California in 1936, John’s bond with the land and nature came from his Finnish grandfather, a farmer and old-world craftsman – a violin maker, musician, master carpenter, metal smith and blacksmith. His move from a small Finnish community to a cosmopolitan San Francisco in 1942 magnified his love of nature. “I draw from the inspiration of the abstract patterns in nature: rocks, snakeskin, and feathers”.
Artist John Rampley “Whale”
George Shuey
Born in San Francisco, CA in 1947. “My work seeks to draw extractions from nature, archetypal forms, and symbols. The unknown aspects of our nature can be revealedthrough an inner search for the unknown within ourselves. Automatic writing, form, and marks within the work seek to reveal a greater understanding of nature, ourselves and the universe in which we live.”
Artist George Shuey “Family”
North Star’s Guest Artists
Gabrielle Belz
Gabrielle is a Maori artist, initially trained as a commercial artist, and is now a full-time painter and printmaker. She continues to support and promote art in the local and widercommunity as current chair of Te Atinga (Committee of Contemporary Māori Visual Arts) of Toi Māori Aotearoa, a founding member of Kauwae (National Māori Women’s Art Collective), trustee of Toi o Manukau, a long-serving member of Nga Puna Waihanga (a national community-oriented organization that supports all Māori arts), a founding member of the artists’ co-operative Pukeko, and she serves on the Creative Community Funds committee for Manukau City.
Gabrielle Belz “Kiwi”
Paula Clark
Paula’s work is influenced by her interested in the natural world internally and externally.Her painting is a reflection of her ongoing exploration of the wonder of the universe and our relationship to it. This consideration of dharma is her lens on cosmic law and order.
Artist Paula Clark “Dharma Dog M”
Joe David
Joe David has effortlessly blended the modern Northwest Coast art movement with hisown Nuu chah-nulth art and other cultural influences. His interest in shamanism, spiritual healing, traditional practices and protecting the environment has become a quest and led him to journey around the world.
Artist Joe David ‘Sea Wolf’
Steve Gibbs
A Maori New Zealander, Steve researches mnemonics for his work, exploring the symbolic connections between bird, fish and whakapapa (genealogy), incorporating motifs ofanimals and nature along side those of his Ngai Ngai Tamanuhiri and Tairawhiti hui (tribe). His relationship to the sea is a strong focus and he explores techniques including the use of many translucent layers of paint (up to 70 layers) to represent water and its symbiosis with other elements in his work.
Artst Steve Gibbs “Harakeke Hoe”
Shirod Younker
Shirod’s work is always collaboration between the past and present as well as memory of his ancestral homeland. He continues to draw inspiration form the objects his ancestorsleft behind and from the land that he stands on or from the waters he paddles canoe on. Shirod goal is not truly to make the most beautiful object, but an object with a life that facilitates or reminds us to be better people.” Shirod Younker is a member of the Coquille Indian Tribe of Portland, Oregon and an artist specializing in woodcarving and traditional canoe making.
Artist Shirod Younker “Wood Paddles”
