Obsolete Vernacular: Works by Ronald Dzerigian

EVENT: Obsolete Vernacular: Works by Ronald Dzerigian

DATES OF SHOW: October 2 – 24, 2024 (The opening reception is October 3 from 5-7 pm)

GALLERY HOURS: Monday – Thursday from 12 – 4 pm

 

Porterville College Art Gallery is proud to present Obsolete Vernacular: Works by Ronald Dzerigian, a compelling exhibition of abstract paintings and a large-scale sculpture. The show runs from October 2 to October 24, 2024, with an opening reception on October 3 from 5 to 7 pm.

 

In the wake of the pandemic, many began reevaluating their possessions—deciding what to keep and what to discard. This reassessment extended to artworks, as some parted with pieces they once valued. Obsolete Vernacular addresses the lifecycle of these objects, previously cherished but now considered obsolete. In this exhibition, Dzerigian, like a shepherd rescuing lost sheep, recovers artworks that might otherwise fade into obscurity. His work focuses on reclamation and transformation, breathing new life into pieces discarded by their former owners. Rather than focusing solely on abstraction, Dzerigian’s process prompts reflection on the transience of ownership, the shifting value of objects, and their potential for preservation and reinvention.

 

Dzerigian’s works grapple with relevance, ownership, and transformation—whether contributing to human consciousness or adding to the accumulation of discarded material. Inspired by artists like Joan Mitchell, who attached colors to letters of the alphabet, Dzerigian encourages viewers to reflect on their attachments to objects and ideas and to consider what they choose to retain or reject.

 

Dzerigian’s paintings explore the practice of painting as an inquiry into material, texture, and color, guided by intuition and a rigorous response to the ongoing process. Central to his approach is the question of when a work is truly complete. Describing his process as one of reclamation and revision, Dzerigian explains: “All of these objects have been given new roles since completing their previous lives as owned art. These works were made, revised, and reclaimed by Ronald Dzerigian.” Through this process, he invites viewers to reconsider their relationships with the objects they create, acquire, and discard, asking, “What about you can you reclaim, reinvent, or reconcile?”

 

Visitors can explore Obsolete Vernacular: Works by Ronald Dzerigian during gallery hours: Monday through Thursday from 12 to 4 pm. Complimentary parking permits are available upon request at the front desk.

 

For more information, please contact Porterville College Art Gallery Director, Theodore Lyons, via e-mail: theodore.lyons@portervillecollege.edu.