Strange Heart

Paintings by Lance Bifoss

June 5-26, 2009

            Lance Bifoss has had a life-long obsession with the symbol of the heart. They appear in almost every drawing he creates, sometimes obvious, but usually hidden. This simple abstract shape, so recognizable, seems to have only one meaning (I’ll give you a hint; it starts with “L”…). Not so. Lance Bifoss shows a different aspect in every piece.

            A heart hanging from a chain. A heart radiating colors. A heart afloat…  Bifoss displays remarkable variations in theme and mood. He has filled an entire book with hearts, each telling a different story, exploring another aspect, triggering a different emotion. He has focused on the heart for a few years, and from his compiled drawings come a series of paintings.

            The style of the paintings is a combination of pop-art, surrealism, cartoon, collage, and psychedelia. Their graphic quality complements the exploration of a symbol, and plays well upon the flatness of a mere shape, but allows for depth to be added both in the composition and in the subject matter. While the heart is hardly under-represented in pop-art, Bifoss presents a unique approach.

            Please join us for a free opening reception on Friday, June 5^th at the Mainstay Gallery, 716 Totem Way.