Get down to Sierra Arts this week before they take down Joan Arrizabalaga’s show “Take A Chance.”
From Sierra Arts website
Take A Chance, an exhibition with a gambling theme by artist Joan Arrizabalaga, opens the 2011 exhibition series at the Sierra Arts Gallery in downtown Reno on January 10.
A native Nevadan once employed as a wardrobe mistress for Harrah’s Reno, Arrizabalaga’s work draws inspiration from the casino atmosphere of our region in both theme and materials. Framed mixed media pieces feature the playing card royal court engaged in games themselves, and sculptures that appear to be a hunter’s trophy heads from afar are created using dice for horns and green game table felt for skin.
“I like the familiar faces of the playing cards for my characters because they are subconsciously recognizable even out of context.” Arrizabalaga stated.
“I am interested in how people are involved with temptation, risk and winning.” she said. “The use of certain symbols, talismans and behaviors to realize our expectations is fascinating to me. This activity is present in everyday life and seems to go well beyond the more straightforward casino world. Everything can be a gamble and I see everywhere the use of the magical world to gain success, help us win or keep us safe.”
