Force of Nature

In Force of Nature, we are invited to traverse the rich terrains of storytelling through the striking combination of Tamera Avery’s large-scale oil paintings and TaVee McAllister Lee’s delicate torn paper constructions.  While Avery’s bold and expansive works—one measuring an impressive 78” x 112” — command attention with their solitary figures and enigmatic interactions with the natural world, Lee’s constructions offer a contrasting fragility, appearing to hover lightly on the wall, subdued color emerging in their delicately cast shadows. With an underpinning of fairy tale, archetypes and legends, both artists veer toward existential concerns. 

Avery’s attention has focused recently on the pervasive habitat loss of Earth’s largest carbon sinks, the Black Forest being one of them. The source of so much folklore, this vast stretch of mixed forest has been precipitously dying, with long-term studies pointing to human driven climate change as a key factor. Exploring this territory, Avery’s process starts with collage, combining widely sourced imagery with her own photo subjects into heroic yet ominous scenarios. Ultimately painted at near-life scale the work balances between hope and an ever-advancing potential for destruction. A youth stands alone in the still heart of the woods, an adolescent girl toting toys wanders into the forest, coyote slinks away from a young man conjuring in the ruins, each engaging the viewer on a direct visceral level as one considers the paintings in person.

At first appearing to be virtual toss-aways, Lee’s “collages of a free nature” challenge traditional notions of installation art. While they lack the grandiosity often associated with installations, these delicate compositions reveal a deeper, more serious presence upon closer inspection. Pinned directly to the wall, their poetic placement of advertising imagery and aspirational messaging, layered with visions of harsher reality, provoke an examination of uncomfortable truths while finding beauty in vulnerability. Difficult to see in photos, subtle coloration emerges in the shadows, allowing for a more intimate experience if one stands with the work a bit.

Together Avery and Lee create a dialogue that encourages engagement with the natural world in all its complexities. “Force of Nature” is not just an exhibition; it is a call to action—a reminder of our capacity to nurture and protect the delicate balance of life that surrounds us, ultimately asking us to reflect, question, and participate in the ongoing narrative of our planet.

Reception:

All are welcome to join us for this Opening Reception celebrating a decade of presenting contemporary art in Oakland. Stop in anytime Saturday, July 12th, 1-4pm to greet the artists and enjoy the light refreshments. Plenty of free street parking on Grand and in the nearby neighborhood.

Artists’ Talk:

Avery and Lee will discuss their figurative and narrative approach to their work, the themes in the work on view and their art practices in a talk starting at 2 pm on Saturday, July 26th, welcoming questions from the audience. All are welcome to join us for this free event, open to the public.