VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Archway Gallery (Dunlavy location) presents the exhibition Stimulus. Stimulating art for a depressed world.  Featuring work by John Slaby (Painting) & James Racine (Sculpture).  On view April 4  through May 1.

Currently residing in Hong Kong, James Racine studied at the renowned De Ateliers art school in The Netherlands and specialised in bronze sculpture at the Royal College of Art in London, graduating in 2001. A prize-winning artist, he has lectured art in British colleges and his art has been shown internationally in exhibitions in Germany, France, The Netherlands and England. This is Racine's first visit to the United States providing art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see his fabled glass box -- only one has ever before been shown as Racine feels highly sensitive about public exposure where this work is concerned.

All Racine's work is closer to painting in conception, including the glass-cased sculpture works. These are based around a comparative human creative perspective which is evident in all cultures -- in all time -- ahead and before history. It all works around a 'majority theme' or central object or objects and plays them off each other, with the smaller field 'minorities' to build a composite work, the environment where an innate lateral communication takes place.

For many years, Racine has been involved in a growing movement for highly individualistic art, eschewing the regular commercial course. He is now devoting time to the creation of a new foundry-based sculpture educational studio in Hong Kong and consults on technical areas of sculpture in particular of fine art bronze casting.

Joining Racine in "Stimulus" is painter and Archway Gallery director John Slaby, who named the exhibition.

"I chose 'Stimulus' as a title since it seemed a word much in use these days, though the current meaning is predominantly economic," Slaby says. "But the word has many meanings, such as to stimulate thought. So I like to think that the art itself is stimulating and may promote pause and reflection."

Slaby, an engineer by profession, says that career enables him to have economic freedom to paint what I want and not be too concerned about an audience, although he still seeks approval from his viewers. Describing his work that will be on view, Slaby says that if there is any one form that is here more than others it is the still life, since that form gives him a platform to say all kinds of things simply by arranging specific objects on a table in a certain way.

"This show is a collection of my thoughts and experiences put onto canvas over the last couple of years," Slaby concludes. "So, this show is a reflection of where I have been, what I have been doing. These things include going to art museums and being intimidated, drinking too much, reading history, travelling, contemplating youth and beauty and sexuality, fearing old age."

Archway Gallery is located at 2305-A Dunlavy in the Montrose/River Oaks area of Houston. For more information about the "Stimulus" exhibition or other Archway Gallery events, call 713-522-2409 or visit the Web site at www.archwaygallery.com . Archway gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

Pictured:  John Slaby, Three Graces, (Oil on Canvas, 2007.