Talking to Clouds
Mielle Harvey - Jewelry, Drawings and Paintings

*Opening May 20, 5-8 PM

SHIBUMI GALLERY presents Talking to Clouds, a show featuring multi-disciplinary artist Mielle Harvey whose pieces incorporate jewelry, drawings and paintings to create interconnected bodies of work. Viewed individually or collectively, her work represents a microcosm of our expansive universe which serves as the root of Mielle‘s inspiration.

MIELLE HARVEY often explores the theme of ‘momento mori’.  She sees her jewelry as a visual elegy that pays homage to the preciousness often overlooked in life’s flux of growth and decay. Through depicting this transience and vulnerability she seeks to evoke a sense of empathy and heighten our understanding of the world around us.

For this exhibition, Harvey merges her current jewelry series with a series of related works on paper.

‘Dead Birds’ are sculptural works created in wax and cast in sterling silver and inspired by the Northern European still-life paintings of the old master painters. The resulting bird pendants reveal both the delicate detail and the raw texture of their making.

‘Silver Scenes’ depicts moments in nature as portraits of ephemerality. She uses observation, printmaking, portraiture and black and white photography as a reference while painting and drawing directly on to thin pieces of silver sheet.

‘Moments of Sky’ is a series the includes both jewelry and works on paper which portray tender depictions of passing clouds.  Each piece functions like a small window, capturing and preserving a glimpse of an ephemeral moment.

“You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.”― Henry David Thoreau

LINDSAY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE  Talking to Clouds  will also serve as a benefit for the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, a non-profit which connects people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect of the world we share.  Their hospital and facility in Walnut Creek treats more than 5,500 injured and orphaned animals each year and welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually.

The opening event will include live educational birds of prey for a one-on-one experience. Wines will be donated by Hannah-Nicole Vineyards. The show will include one-of-a-kind and limited edition falcon pieces by the artist Mielle Harvey who will be in attendance.  The gallery will be donating a percentage of the sales to the foundation. Additionally, a silent auction will feature a limited edition dress by clothing designer Gary Graham of New York City from his current Spring 2017 Collection and a wine gift pack which includes tickets from Hannah-Nicole Vineyards summer concert in the vineyards.