Lines of Transmission, an exhibit of monoprints by Sandi Potter will be shown at 95 3^rd St. @ Mission in San Francisco, CA 94103

The artist reception is on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM.

Take part in “First Thursdays” by visiting galleries in downtown San Francisco.
  

This exhibit is a culmination of Sandi's Visual Arts studies taken at San Francisco based UC Berkeley's Art and Design Program. I was curious about her reasons for returning to school and what she learned from the experience.

1.  An artist statement tells us all about your work in academic terms. Can you describe your work to us in a less formal manner.

I make drawings, paintings, and mixed media images that are inspired by the landscape.  I focus on man-made structures in the natural environment and am often drawn to monolithic structures such as towers and power lines.  I’m interested in how these structures mark the surface of the land and how they mirror our modern relationship with the natural world.  I offer a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of nature and warn about technology and consumption beyond our control.

2.  Your exhibit is titled Lines of Transmission. Why choose telephone poles for imagery?

I’m drawn to these structures because they are ubiquitous; they are so common that we often fail to notice them.  Also, they are usually considered unsightly.  Aesthetically I see them as abstract lines and forms and I enjoy the repetition of structures.  Conceptually, the power lines and communication facilities stand out as monuments to our modern industrial life.

3. Most of the works in this upcoming exhibit are prints. Will you be doing any similar themed work in another medium?

I started this series making large-scale ink and charcoal drawings and I am continuing to explore the subject matter using a photo-transfer monotype technique.  I’m currently working on a series of etchings that feature radio towers and airport navigational facilities.  I will continue to explore these gritty urban landscapes using whatever media feels most appropriate to convey my idea.

4.  I know you made these prints at Kala institute in Berkeley. Can you tell us a little about Kala and your experience there?

I’ve been an Artist-in-Resident at the Kala Art Institute since July 2011.  Kala has allowed me to expand my exploration of print-making, to participate in classes, and be part of a supportive print-making community.  I will be part of the upcoming group show of Artist-in-Resident work (opening on December 15^th at the Kala Gallery located at 2990 San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley).  Most significantly, I have had the opportunity to get to know other artists working in the Bay Area (and across the county), to learn from them, and to develop friendships.  Folks at Kala are mostly working in print-making but they are also painters, jewelers, sculptures, book-makers, and musicians.

Q. You returned to school after a long hiatus, and your background that prepared you for your current career is in an unrelated field. What exactly prompted your decision to return to school to study art?

I’ve always studied art even when I was studying Geology.  I kept a sketchbook, making drawings of landscape features.  I also worked as a cartographer, making maps and drawings of important fossils and other scientific features.  It was always a dream of mine to earn a college degree in Art. 

Thoughout my life I’ve worked in many media, including photography, collage, textile, and painting.  For a time I taught art at the adult school and through an after-school program.  In 2001 I started taking classes at UC Berkeley Extension, then in 2008 I began work in the newly developed post-baccalaureate certificate program in Visual Arts.  This program has allowed me to earn the equivalent of a Bachelors of Arts degree, a dream come true for me, and a path to deeper expression and understanding.  The program offers a comprehensive program in studio art, art history, critique, and professional development. 

What future plans do you have for your art career?

I hope to continue learning new print-making techniques at Kala and to continue to show my work, expanding my involvement in the East Bay Art community.  I would also like to explore contemporary topics in visual arts with groups of artists and to develop curatorial proposals for thematic group exhibits.

Finally, for all those potential art students, what is the most significant thing you learned about yourself in art school.

I really got to know myself – both my artistic process and my aesthetic.  I learned about my strengths and weaknesses and how to work outside my comfort zone. However, the most important thing I learned was that art is not just about drawing and painting well, but about thinking as an artist at a deep, philosophical level.