Painter Nuni Lee presents in front of a large deal with among her 5 cats.
Photo supplied
Artists Ana Meza and Nuni Lee possibly would want their latest exhibit to have 9 lives instead of a period of a simple 6 weeks. That would appear particularly fuzzily fitting for their double display screen “Ethereal Times: A Cat Art Show” going through July 29 at 411 Gallery at 411 Sixth St. in downtown Columbus.
Lee, who resides in Atlanta and is good friends with carver Meza of Columbus, is a painter with 5 cats and a bazillion factors to like and portray them.
“They are my models,” she said with a laugh.
And striking ones at that. A significant, pink-hued, portrait-style close-up of her very first feline, Minnie, now 8, approximated to be part Maine Coon, is evidence positive.
“With this, we didn’t worry about how seriously people might take our work,” Lee said. “We just wanted to create art about cats — and have a lot of fun with it.”
Heavens to Meow Mix, think about that done. The very first thing visitors see when walking in the gallery door is Meza’s cool filament-topped cat tree with a little a stair-step style that marks much of her symbolic work. Behind that hang a few of Lee’s paintings of her own cats and others, varying from oil on canvas to acrylic on canvas.
Lee desires her painted cats to be captivating. Yet, she desires audiences to see something beyond what is on the canvas. In essence, she desires them to see what’s in their own heart.
“Ideally, I want this work to remind people of their own cats,” Lee said.
Needless to state, humor is plentiful behind the scenes in this display, thanks to the lady who lightheartedly decorates her phone texts with cat emojis. Plus, the lightheartedness consists of the truth that Lee has 5 cats, which her partner chose is rather adequate, thank you.
“When we got the fifth one, I had to write him a letter promising not to adopt any more cats,” Lee said. “So I signed up to volunteer through the local (animal) shelter, to make sure I can get my weekly dose of cats.”
Columbian native Meza, who moved from Atlanta to Columbus in August, has actually invested significant effort and time typically instilling her sculptures with Latin affects.
“But I also hope that people can find a sense of playfulness within my work,” Meza said.
Look no even more than the blindingly blue feline figures, plus the magenta ones that she developed through a 3-D printer. Some look noticeably like a sphinx or associated breed, evaluating by the comprehensive skin on the animals’ flanks.
“I hope that people notice some of the bright colors,” Meza said.
Doubtful they might miss them. Her pieces are built of whatever from PLA naturally degradable plastic to plywood. And the program itself is constructed on more than whimsy. Ten percent of all sales of the pieces will be contributed to a regional cat shelter.
“Nuni and I always have felt very strongly about supporting shelters,” Meza said. “We think it’s so important to be able to give back.”
Plus, the artists’ reception at 5 p.m. June 29 will consist of a cubicle outside the gallery on the Sixth Street Arts Alley where art will mimic life and individuals can adopt cats in requirement of houses. Meza is naturally pleased with those practical links to the program.
She herself has 2 cats.
“Oh, I would love to have five cats like Nuni,” she said with a laugh. “But I would need a bigger place. I have just a small apartment.”
But plainly, she boasts one huge love beyond her art.
About the program
What: “Ethereal Times: A Cat Art Show,” by carver Ana Meza of Columbus and friend Nuni Lee of Atlanta, Georgia.
When: Through July 29. Artists’ public reception is 5 to 7 p.m. June 29.
Where: 411 Gallery, 411 Sixth St. in downtwn Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Information: artsincolumbus.org
