Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, May 16, 2008

Seattle Art Museum Gallery: Marking a milestone by tracking artists' journeys

By Theresa Goffredo
Herald writer

 Seattle Art Museum Gallery director Barbara Shaiman candidly revealed that the gallery doesn't show a lot of photographers. Shaiman has found that so much of what she sees from photographers these days looks the same.

Ross Sawyers is the exception to that rule.

His giant, bold minimalist photographs, amazingly produced with an inkjet printer, capture the shape and drama of limited spaces with sharp corners. But Sawyers also playfully incorporates pieces of billowy plastic or a wet surface to soften this hard-edged effect.

"Not many photographers have a personal individual view, but his are totally unique and really intriguing," Shaiman said. "He creates a strange narrative with his work. His perspective and view are really fascinating."

Sawyers is among the featured artists at the SAM Gallery 35th Anniversary Celebration going on through June 7.

The gallery, though connected to SAM, is not connected to the museum building but sits on a sweet bit of real estate at the corner of Third Avenue and University Street. The gallery is intimate and airy, and Shaiman is pleased the gallery got these digs 4 1/2 years ago because it was somewhat hidden before when it shared space with the museum.

Now the storefront corner practically screams to passersby to come see what's inside. Visitors might not realize all the gallery has to offer.

"We have captured every stage in artists' lives," Shaiman said. "We have some who have been showing here for 20 years and some who are brand new and are showing for the first time."

Sawyers is among those first-time artists.

He is joined by other Northwest artists who are showcasing their new work, including Barbara Barnes Allen, Deborah Bell, Lisa Buchanan, Tim Cross, John Dempcy, Karen Ganz, Melinda Hannigan, Patrick Holderfield, Etsuko Ichikawa, Rachel Illingworth, Steve Jensen, Carolyn Krieg, Betty Merken, Nicholas Nyland, Lois Silver, Katy Stone, Eva Sköld Westerlind, Junko Yamamoto and Jenifer Zwick.

As part of this exhibit, Barbara Barnes Allen will create an installation called "Ticket to Ride" in the University Street window in which she will use found materials from her travels. Allen uses ordinary things to produce art that evokes a sense of being in the here and now.

35th anniversary celebration

SAM Gallery: through June 7, Seattle Tower Building, 1220 Third Ave., Seattle.
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