Like a menu, a work of art can result from the simple urge to pair contrasting sensations. Charmed by the quaint beauty of a family’s tea set and charged by his first glimpse of the intense color of blood oranges, David Diaz cooked up an oil painting that tantalized the jurors of Food for Thought.
The Strathmore exhibition serves up more than 100 tasty pieces judged by experts in the culinary arts — among them local executive chef Bruce Barnes, who easily identified with the artists’ “passion for food.”
Dieters, be warned: The bounty includes temptations such as “Think Cherries,” a luscious purply-red goodie by Martha Beshers, and Loretta Morgan’s slice of whimsy, “Dessert Anyone?”
The assortment includes some unexpected, highly memorable selections. One that challenges us to think beyond our appetites and consider the impact of our food choices is “The Year of the Pig.” In this beautiful acrylic painting, Jane Preece introduces us to two gentle animals that have not yet been turned into a meal. Specializing in animal portraits, the award-winning Laytonsville painter spends a lot of time at farms.
“So many animals are cruelly treated,” Preece says. Since expanding her subjects beyond dogs and cats, she became aware of harsh conditions such as crammed pens, battery cages and unkind handling prevalent in this factory farm age in which people have become consumers far removed from food sources — and thus commonly disassociate pork and beef from pigs and cows. During one week spent with pigs, the artist observed their intelligence and friendliness: “They would come up to me to be petted.”
In addition to Food for Thought, Strathmore visitors can catch Hands of Seasons, a display of 3-D floral paintings and gorgeous glazed ceramics by Andre Pellerin, gallery curator at Gallaudet University.
Food for Thought
Through March 31
» Venue: Strathmore Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, N. Bethesda
» Art Talk: 1 p.m. March 10
» Info: 301-581-5200;
www.strathmore.org
