Exhibit Details
Desert Meditations – Paintings by Michael Wheelden
Cityscapes and landscapes have been Michael Wheelden’s constant theme. His interest is so pervasive that he cannot recall a beginning. He knows that wherever he has been, his surroundings have absorbed his attention and curiosity. His images are informed with a sense of place. All the emotional and intellectual responses of life have been filtered through the scrim of his surroundings. Through the manipulation of form and the transformation of color the human environment has become metaphor for the human condition. He finds the appropriate motifs in the usual rather than the unusual, the mundane rather than the extraordinary, the vernacular rather than the literate. He finds “high art” in low places.
Michael Wheelden has resided in San Diego for over 40 years. He received his BA from San Diego State University and his MFA from California State University, Long Beach.
Michael Wheelden has resided in San Diego for over 40 years. He received his BA from San Diego State University and his MFA from California State University, Long Beach.
Desert Meditations paintings by Michael Wheelden
Dates: Feb 15th – March 30th, 2025
ARTTALK: Saturday, March 8, 3 PM
Location: The Gallery at The Palms, 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, CA
Opening Reception at The Gallery
Saturday, February 15th, 5 PM to 7 PM
Sleepwalking
Photos by Leslie Nemour
Curated by Elizabeth Rodriquez, owner of The House of Borrego Springs – West Gallery
Sleepwalking is a phenomena of combined sleep and wakefulness. For me it represents a state of mind existing in two disparate places at once, such as in one’s fantasy, memory or dream but disconnected with the conscious self. Lucid dreaming, may be the opposite as it is the sweet spot between reality and fantasy, knowing that you are dreaming in a dream. It can also be said that sleepwalking is a metaphor for moving through life with a lack of awareness of both the beauty and horror that surrounds us. All those ruminations are embraced in Sleepwalking.
In this series, square compositions zoom into interior environments with fleeting figures entering or leaving the frame. What’s left is an animated space where functional and decorative objects, along with shadows, reflections and swirling currents, reflect a residual energy, much like the remnants of a party or of a crime scene. Think of entering a room and being struck by the lingering emotion of what has happened just moments before.
Weirdly nostalgic, the horizontal storyboard paintings represent ephemeral moments through blurry visuals and glimpses of the forbidden and forgotten.
In graduate school I studied painting as film, and film as painting. Framing, composition, color, and lighting, more than imagery, were devices that told stories. I eventually began referencing images from cinematic history to transcend split–second moments of a story into an otherworldly, or fluttering existence. Movie genres from past eras and cinematic sources (specifically from the 40’s – early 70’s) are referenced in Sleepwalking to contrast the parallel energy of the past with that of the present. Autobiographically they serve as a barometer of changing social norms and resilience.
Each painting begins as a clean slate, a way to start all over again, a new day; akin to waking up from a dream you may never remember.
About The Gallery at The Palms
Located within The Palms at Indian Head, The Gallery at The Palms is a distinctive art space in Borrego Springs. It is known for its serene setting and connection to the local creative community.
The Gallery at The Palms showcases a variety of works by local and regional artists, creating an inviting environment for art enthusiasts to experience the unique perspectives and talents inspired by the desert landscape. With its location at The Palms, visitors can enjoy both art and the tranquil ambiance of one of Borrego Springs’ cherished historic landmarks.